Phoenix Petroleum is co-presenter of Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball

THE 5th Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge 1st National Open got a big boost as fastest-growing independent oil company Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. (PPPI) has thrown its support anew as co-presenter of the much-awaited event slated Nov. 9 to 11 at the NCCC Mall activity center.

United Laboratories, makers of Alaxan, Biogesic and Enervon, also renewed partnership with the organizers as this year's major sponsor.

Sun.Star Davao Publishing Inc. general manager Tessie Paña praised PPPI's efforts in supporting the worthwhile billiards event that just opened its youth categories last year.

"We are very happy that Phoenix Petroleum is renewing its partnership with us for the second straight year. It truly means a lot that a great company that originated from Davao City is backing us since we also started the annual billiards competition in 2008 as the Mindanao Open that was exclusive for Mindanao players only," Paña said.

She added that PPPI and SSDPI share the same goal of promoting sports down to the grassroots level, thus, the cuefest will again feature the joint boys and girls elementary, joint boys and girls High School, college men's and college women's categories aside from the regular open division that offers a total cash prize of P212,000.

SSDPI and PPPI, to be represented by vice-president for external affairs lawyer Raymond T. Zorrilla, will sign the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Oct. 30.

Manila-based Zorrilla, in text messages on Tuesay, said, "Phoenix Petroleum is privileged to partner with Sun.Star Davao in the holding of the 9-Ball Challenge. Phoenix Petroleum reaffirms its commitment to support various sports more particularly in billiards where a host of Filipinos have reaped awards even in the international scene and against the world's best."

Tournament chair Charles Raymond A. Maxey, business editor of Sun.Star Davao, meanwhile inked a MOA with Unilab Mindanao area marketing professional Leo Aquino at the Sun.Star Davao conference room on Monday afternoon.

Aquino said, "We are very excited that the Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball is getting bigger every year. We are happy to be partners again."

Unilab will provide Alaxan, Biogesic and Enervon items as prizes and freebies for winners of the youth categories.

"We thank Unilab for supporting us as always. Any help is always welcome for this kind of event that is getting bigger every year," Maxey said.

The tournament is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission with NCCC Mall of Davao as major sponsors. It is also backed up by Visuals in Motion Advertising, Boy Cherry Billiards Center, Laminine, Juego Sports, SVS Salon, Davao Light & Power Company, Mindavote, city government of Davao, Dexter's Pizza Stadium, Vice-Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and Jollibee as minor sponsors.

Registration is ongoing at Sun.Star Davao office, Suites 5&6 Granland Bldg., R. Castillo St., Davao City. Deadline of submission of entries is on Nov. 8 at the NCCC Mall activity center from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Fee is P850 for the open division with five Superbalita mastheads dated Oct. 1 to Nov. 8. For youth categories, just submit five Sun.Star Davao mastheads dated Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 with certificate of enrollment from principal, registrar or school head.

For inquiry, contact (082) 235-1009 or 235-1007.