LOCAL and international cue artists battle for supremacy in the very first Sargo sa Cebu City Open 10-Ball Billiard Tournament on Oct. 3 to 8, 2019, at The Atrium, Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

About 70 cue artists will compete for the title that comes with a cool P300,000 cash prize. The first runner-up will receive P200,000 while the second and third runners-up will pocket P80,000 each.

Warren Kiamco, one of the country’s top guns and a native from Cebu, said the event is a good start for the local pool scene.

“To bring back the popularity and the glory days of billiards we need more local tournaments,” said Kiamco, adding that there has been little to none big tournaments in the country for the past 10 years.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, a sports enthusiast himself, said the city is in full support of the sport since it’s capable of ‘producing champions.’

“This sport can produce champions and it has been proven by our national players. I hope there will be many billiard tournaments here. On my part and on behalf of the city, I will be very supportive,” he said.

Also present in the press conference were Bob Maclenan of Scotland, Hideko Sato of Japan and rising Filipino cue artist Hushley Jusayan.

“I’m practically at the beginner level in billiard and the best thing to learn the sport is to come here in the Philippines. You have legends and rising players here,” said Maclenan. RSC