THE game of pool and billiards just got more interesting with the Puyat Sports Group sponsoring another project to discover new talents in the game of pool.
The project piqued my interest not only because I am a billiard enthusiast but also because of the motive behind the program which apparently is intended to discover the next batch of Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante of the country.
Of course, Filipinos know who “Bata” Reyes is, a winner of over 70 international titles, Bata was the first person in history to win World Championships in two different disciplines in pool.
Among his numerous titles, Bata is a four-time World eight-ball champion, the 1999 World Nine-ball champion, a three-time US Open champion, a two-time World Pool League champion and a 14-time Derby City Classic champion – including an unprecedented five “Master of the Table” crowns. But not only that, to those familiar or an avid player of billiard and pool Efren has become an idol for those aspiring to become better or excellent players in the sport.
But as with any other superstar in his chosen sport or profession Efren has reached the apex of his career as a professional pool player and may well be ready to pass on the baton to the next generation of Filipino billiard artists.
This is where the Puyat sports program comes in. Dubbed as the “Junior Filipino Invasion: the Search Begins”, the projects aims to discover new and bright young talents in the Philippine pool arena able and willing to undergo a hard and rigid training (if selected), under the watchful eye of professional billiard coaches. And if lucky enough, become a member in a pool of elite billiard talents that will be able to compete and win in national and international tournaments.
The Filipino Junior Invasion is set to begin on May 25 and 26 at Game Ball, Rizal Memorial Stadium (in front of SM Harrison) with a qualifying 9 ball tournament and with the following requirements: open to all Filipino pool players (male or female) aged 17 years old and below; Enrolled in the past school year (2017-2018); or has been duly enrolled in the coming 2018-2019 academic year and kids with dual citizenship are also welcome to join.
Other tournament details include the following: 9-Ball, International Rules, race to 7, true Double Elimination format, no entry fees and no table fees.
The four top finishers of the qualifying tournament shall be included in the Junior Filipino Invasion program which will give them the opportunity to undergo at a least a year of rigorous training under the tutelage of Mr. Aristeo “Putch” Puyat – the Godfather of Philippine billiards - and the coaches of the Philippine Billiard Team, including the The Greatest of All Time - Efren Reyes, Hall of Famer - Francisco Bustamante, World Champion – Rodolfo Luat.
Let us hope that we will finally discover the next heir to the throne of the greatest billiard player in the planet Efren Bata Reyes.