IN A stinging blow to RP billiards, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), led by chairman Harry Angping, has turned down the request of the BSCP for assistance for the seven-man RP team slated to compete in the first WPA World Team Championship in Hanover, Germany on Jan. 30 to Feb. 7.
This was bared yesterday by Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) chairman Florentino “Yen” Makabenta, also the chairman of Raya Sports, who brought the World Pool Championships here in Manila twice and hosted the World Ten Ball Championships twice.
“Umaasa kami na tutulong ang private company sa paglahok ng National Team sa World Team Championship sa Germany,” said Makabenta yesterday.
Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza, who is fresh from winning the BSCP 4th National Pool Championships last month and 2010 Manny Villar Cup last week, will spearhead the seven-man team that includes double world champion (WPA 9-ball and 8-ball) Ronato “Vol-cano”Alcano, Dennis “Robocop” Orcullo, Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, Antonio “Nickoy” Lining and Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo.
The team manager is founding BSCP chairman Edgar “Malabon” Acaba.
All countries have to opportunity to nominate a four-, five- or six-person team, and all matches will include the disciplines of 8-Ball, 9-Ball and 10-Ball. Each match will feature singles and doubles play, therefore the strategy of how a country selects its team is critical. They need to select specialists in each discipline, and the players can be all male, all female, or a combination of both. A whopping $400,000 total pot prize is at stake in the Olympic billiards event is at stake. (PR)
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