Friday, March 23, 2007 Ilagan, Noble win darts championship
WORLD Cuppers Lorenze Ilagan and Rose Noble romped off with the top prizes in the Philmasters Darts Championship (PDC) 2007 in the men’s and women’s singles, respectively, held last weekend at the Pearl Plaza Mall in Parañaque City.
With his victory, Ilagan is now number one in the Darts Council of the Philippines (DCP) list, dislodging veteran Philippine darts team member Arvy Briones.
Ilagan trounced PDC 2006 champion Robert Reyes, 6-2, in the men’s singles — best of 11 legs finals – to claim the title.
In the distaff side, multi-titlist Noble humbled Cora Mercado, 5-1, to earn another championship.
Attorney Andrew L. Arrieta, DCP President, said the PhilMasters event is both a ranking and rating event. Arrieta added that the members of the Philippines team are chosen from the national pool comprising the top 16 of the men’s division and top 8 in the women’s division. This Philippines darts team will compete in the World Darts Federation (WDF) World Cup 2007 in Amsterdam, Switzerland in September 2007. Only four males and two females will comprise the national team.
The PDC 2007 was sponsored by the Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) and also supported by Leroy International, Office of Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Aristeo "Putch" Puyat of Puyat Sports, Terton Craft, Toby’s Sports and Daily C Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C) of the League of Business Builders.
The open doubles event was won by veterans Gilbert Noble and Pipo Garcia who subdued the pair of veteran Internationalist Mon Sabalboro and Angelo Masa. The trio of Johnden Oblades, Leo Buison and Noel Morales defeated the team of Ilagan, Boy Agas and Leslie Manalo to emerge as champions in the classified three-man team event.
Meanwhile, the race for slots in the Philippine team to be sent to the World Cup 2007 shifts to high gear this weekend with 16 male and 8 female darters going through a multiple round elimination process. Games start 10:30 a.m. at the Pearl Plaza Mall.
Qualifiers in the men’s division are Lorenz Ilagan, Arvy Briones, Mon Sabalboro, Ding Sumulong, Robert Reyes, Toto Andrade, Dhoe Macasaquit, Arnel Orteza, Ricky Santiago, Pipo Garcia, Gilbert Noble, Dixie Ybanez, Dodong Nollora, Henry Suerto, Art Longyapon, Andy Villamor and Caloy Niepes.
Qualifiers in the women’s division are Cora Mercado, Ann Madrid, Leonor Lumabi, Rose Noble, Ann-Ann Awitan, Lani Tac-an, Relyn Tagam and Clariz Sarmiento. (Press release)
