Monday, March 24, 2008 Search for new poll star resumes
DOZENS of aspiring cue artists gathered anew as the Search for the New Billiards Idol resumes with its third leg Sunday at the AMF-Puyat Billiards Center in New Farmers Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City.
After a long break to give way to the successfully staged San Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9-Ball Championship and in observance of the Holy Week, the twice-a-month venue for players to make it big in the sport was filled with an overwhelming number of hopefuls.
"This is our first major grassroots development project, and we are committed to make it a year-round affair," said Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMpap) president lawyer Vic Rodriguez.
Besides the chance to become the country's new pool star, players will also be vying for the top prize of P10,000 and an Edwin Reyes cue stick at stake in this tournament organized by Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano.
The runner-up will receive P5,000, while the two other semifinalists will take P2,500 each.
Roberto Dy returned to defend the crown he won after ruling the second leg of this series sponsored by the Association of Club, Karaoke and Disco Operators (Ackdo), Puyat Sports, and Negros Billiards Stable.
But the 53-year-old Dy will have his hands full as he is expected to encounter tough challenges, especially from the young Turks led by inaugural stage winner Mark Mendoza and Bugsy boys Joemar de Ocampo, Johann Chua, Benjie Guevarra and Mike Takayama.
