2011 PHILIPPINE POOL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

German Thorsten Hohmann clinches the men’s 2011 Philippine 10-Ball Open Championship title defeating countryman, Ralf Souquet, 11-10 in an uphill battle. Hohmann joined the tournament last minute in place of an exhibition match in the United States. Players from thirty one nations participated in this five day event held at the SM Mega Trade Hall 1, Pasig City. The Championships was sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiards Association (WPA) and organized by Raya Sports.

Men’s Ranking

1.      Thorsten Hohmann       23.  Roland de la Cruz             45. Vincent Facquet

2.      Ralh Souquet               24. Kuo Po Cheng                  46. Amir Ibrahim

3.      Liu Hai Tao                 25. Bashar Hussain                 47. Marlon Manalo

4.      Antonio Lining            26. Yu Lung Chang                 48. Mohammad Zulfikri

5.      Darren Appleton           27. Naoyuki Oi                       49. Robbie Foldvari

6.      Carlo Biado                 28. John Mora                        50. Bobby Lee Chenman

7.                    7.   Fu Che Wei                   29. Jerico Bañares                   51. Rafath Habib

8.      Dennis Orcullo             30. Oliver Medenilla                52. Jech Limen

9.      Marcus Chamat            31. Siauw Wieto                     53. Md.A.Bin Hj Raschid

10.  Chang Jung Lin            32. Demosthenes Pulpul           54. Lee Gun Jae

11.  Lee Van Corteza            33. Wu Hao                           55. Shinya Inoue

12.  Takti Zarekani              34. Venancio Tanio                 56. Roberto Gomez

13.  Hwang Yong                35. Kenny Kwok                     57. Ahmad T. Bin Murni

14.  Jundel Mazon               36. Mohammed Hosani            58. Chan Keng Kwang

15.  Jason Klatt                   37. Mohana Obaidy                 59. Rudy Susanto

16.  Ricky Yang                  38. Chang Pei Wei                  60. Ko Ping Chun

17.  Allan Cuartero              39. Raymond Faraon                61. Shane Van Boening

18.  Renemar David             40. Desmond Goh Chin Teck    62. Sundeep Gulati

19.  Ramil Gallego              41. Ronato Alcano                   63. Konstantin Stepanov

20.  Lo Li Wen                   42. Mika Immonen                  64. Tomoo Takano

21.  Abdullah Al Yousuf       43. Jeffrey de Luna

22.  Nguyen Phoc Long        44. Yoni Rachmanto

Chinese teen Chen Siming wins the women’s title defeating British veteran Kelly Fisher, 9-3. Chen never fell off the winners bracket showing her determination to join her compatriots Liu Sha Sha and Wu Chia Ching as a teenage world champion.

Womens’ Ranking:

1.      Chen Siming        13. Tsai Pei Chen                25. Aradhana Naik

2.      Kelly Fisher         14. Xiao Fang Fu                 26. Suniti Damani

3.      Lin Yuan Chun     15. Helena Benjamin            27. Reggie Ann Biagcong

4.      Liu Sha Sha         16. Ga Young Kim               28. Junko Tsuchiya

5.      Lim Yun Mi        17. Naomi Williams             29. Heona Kritine Gregori

6.      Chou Chieh Yu    18. Hyun Ji Won                 30. Monika Webb

7.      Jasmin Ouschan   19. Angeline Ticoalu             31. Allison Fisher

8.      Wu Jing             20. Veronique Menard            32. Gillian Go

9.      Ina Jentschura      21. Duong Thuy Vi

10.  Yu Ram Cha        22. Line Kyorsvic

11.  Li Jia                  23. Keiko Yukawa

12.  Han Yu               24. Marika Poikkijoki

Stage 1 was held from March 31 – April 4 at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City. The grueling five day eliminations gave way to ten men and four female stage 2 qualifiers, namely:

Men:                                        Nation:

Roland Dela Cruz                    Philippines

Tomoo Takano                        Japan

Yoni Rachmanto                      Indonesia

Allan Cuartero                         Philippines

Muhammad Zulfikri                  Indonesia

Renemar David                        Philippines

Roberto Gomez                       Philippines

Jundel Mazon                          Philippines

Fu Che Wei                            Chinese Taipei

Yu Lung, Chang                      Chinese Taipei

Women:

Lin Yuan Chun                         Chinese Taipei

Wu Jing                                   China

Tsai Pei Chen                          Chinese Taipei

Duong Thuy Vi                         Vietnam

RP POOL TEAM FINISH SECOND IN THE 1ST WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

TEAM Great Britain showed better control of their nerves in the crucial moments as they carved a smashing 4-1 win over Philippine Team late Sunday to capture the first-ever World Team Championship being held at the Hall 13 Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Hannover, Germany.

With the feat, The Britons composed of reigning World 9-ball champion Daryl Peach, 2008 World Ten-Ball Champion Darren Appleton, Karl Boyes, Mark Gray and Imram Majid received the top prize of $100,000.

Lee Van Corteza, Antonio Lining, Dennis Orcollo, Edgar Acaba, Marlon Manalo, Ronato Alcano, Warren Kiamco

Team Philippines 

The Filipinos headed by BSCP vice-president Edgar Acaba designated as team manager, former World 9-ball and 8-ball champion Ronato Alcano, last year International Predator 10-ball ruler Dennis Orcullo, former snooker champion Marlon Manalo, two-time BSCP National Pool title-holder Lee Vann Corteza, Japan based Antonio Lining and Southeast Asian games 9-ball gold medalist Warren Kiamco settled for a runner-up purse of $50,000.

Losing-Semifinalists Greece and Russia, on the other hand received $30,000 each in the 48-nation tournament, the first of its kind and sanctioned by the World Pool Billiard Association (WPA), stakes a total purse of $400,000 (roughly P19.2 million) and uses a point-system scoring patterned after the famous Davis Cup in international tennis.

The Filipinos which is backed up by Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) headed by its president Sebastian "Baste" Chua and its chairman Florentino "Yen" Makabenta, Raya Sports, Bugsy Promotions and Negros Billiards Stable, had a great start with a 6-1 thrashing victory over the Britons in the first game of 8-ball Scotch doubles event.

After the loss, the Britons bounced back winning their second game of 8-ball Scotch doubles event, 6-1, to level the count at 1-all in the race-to-4 affair.

Then Gray, Boyes and Appleton, made it 4-1 for Team Great Britain to snatch the over-all championships’ trophy.

Gray downed Lining, 8-2, in the 1st 9-ball game, Boyes edged Corteza, 8-7, in the 2nd 9-ball game and Appleton toppled Orcullo, 7-1, in the 2nd 10-ball game.

Actually, Alcano was already leading 2-1 against Appleton in the 1st 10-ball game but it was halted after Appleton won in the 2nd 10-ball game.

On the road to the finals, the Filipinos beat England II (4-0), Czech Republic (4-1), Norway (4-2), Poland (4-2) and Russia (4-1) to arrange a titular showdown with Great Britain, who brought downed Norway (5-1) lost to Sweden (4-2) then blanked Israel (4-0) and Germany (4-0) then edged China (4-3) and Greece (4-2), respectively.

By Marlon Bernardino

4th NATIONAL POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Lee Van Corteza displays National Champion trophy, flanked by (L-R) Tournament Director Mario Aquino, BSCP Chairman Yen Makabenta, Negros Stables Manager Jonathan Sy and BSCP President Sebastian Chua

December 22, Star Billiards Center, Quezon City - 2nd World 10-Ball Championship 1st runner-up and the 2007 National Champion Lee Van Corteza clinches the 2009 National Championship title edging Rodrigo Geronimo 11:6 in the final round. Settling for 3rd were Dennis Orcullo and Victor Arpilleda in semifinal matches.

The 4th BSCP National Pool Championships registered 82 men and 14 women cue players from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Dubbed as "Bilyaran sa Pasko", the Championship welcomed the return of Bugsy and Negros Billiard Stable players such as Ronnie Alcano, Dennis Orcullo, Joven Bustamante, Carlo Biado, Lee Van Corteza, Warren Kiamco and seasoned independents Antonio Lining and Ramil Gallego, to name a few.


Defending champion Marlon Manalo had numerous challengers, one noteworthy opponent was 2008 World 10-Ball 1st runner-up Demosthenes Pulpul from Paul Magadian's Cebu stable.


On the distaff side, Zemonette Oryan defended her title, defeating Mica Claveria from the Negros Billiard Stables, 9:5. Floriza Andal of Laguna and Jingle David settled for 3rd place.

Rankings – Men

1. Corteza, Lee Van

2 Geronimo, Rodrigo

3. Arpilleda, Victor

4. Orcollo, Dennis

5. Tapia, Marvin

6. Biado, Carlo

7. Gomez, Roberto

8. Alcano, Ronnie

9. Valle, Gandy

10. Salazar, John

11. Gallego, Ramil

12. Tullao, Rocky

13. Feliciano, Michael

14. Lining, Antonio

15. Dela Cruz, Roland

16. Zerna, Ricky

Rankings – Women

1.Oryan, Zemonette

2.Claveria, Mica

3. Andal, Floriza

4. David, Jingle

BSCP AFTER YEAR 2005

The Philippines recently hosted the 2nd World 10-Ball Championship (WTBC) from November 25-30 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

Mika Immonen of Finland emerged as the 2009 World 10-Ball Champion defeating Lee Van Corteza of the Philippines 11:6 in the final match.

David Alcaide of Spain

and Antonio Lining of the Philippines settled for 3rd place.











Sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiards Association (WPA) and the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP), the 5-day feat was attended by 40 countries with a total of 128 players, as follows:

Australia:
Louis Condo
Ben Nunan
Austria:
Mario He
Martin Kempter
Belgium:

Serge Das
Brunei:
MB Alias
Canada:
Alain Martel
Raymond Cruz
Erick Hjorleifson
Adam Smith
Tyler Edey
China:
Li Hewen
Fu Jianbo
Liu Haitao
Croatia:
Phil Stojanovic
Czech Republic:
Roman Hybler
Denmark:
Kasper Krisofferson
Bahram Lofty
Finland:
Markus Juva
Mika Immonen
France:
Stephan Cohen
Vincent Facquet
Japan:
Hayato Hijikata
Yukio Akakarimaya
Toru Kuribayashi
Naoyuki Ooi
Satoshi Kawabata
Korea:
Jeong Young Hwa
Kim Woong Dae
Choi Chul Mook
Ryu Seung Woo
Malaysia:
Ibrahim Bin Amir
Lee Poh Soon
Mexico:
Ignacio Chavez
Netherlands:
Huidji See
Niels Feijen
Nick Van den Berg
Norway:
Vegar Kristiansen
Philippines:
Jeffrey de Luna
Demosthenes Pulpul
Marlon Manalo
Antonio Gabica
Allan Cuartero
Jerico Banares
Warren Kiamco
Dennis Orcullo
Ronnie Alcano
Lee Van Corteza
Carlo Biado
Ramil Gallego
Michael Feliciano
Jundel Mazon
Roberto Gomez
Antonio Lining
Jomar de Ocampo
Steve Villamil
Emil Martinez
Poland:
Mateusz Sniegocki
Tomasz Kaplan
Mariusz Skonechny
Radoslaw Babica
Qatar:
Basher Hussain
Abdulatef fawal
Rashis Almari
Russia:
Konstantin Stepanov
Ruslan Chinakhov
Serbia:
Sandor Tot
Singapore:
Tey Choon Kiat
Toh Lian Han
Slovenia:
Matjaz Erculj
South Africa:
Jason Theron
Alphonse Hoge
Spain:
David Alcaide
Rafel Guzmann
Sweden:
Marcus Chamat
Switzerland:
Dimitri Jungo
Taipei:
Chao Fong Pang
Chang Yu-Lung
Kuo Po-Cheng
Cheng Tsung-Hua
Ko Pin-Yi
Lu Hui Chan
Fu Che-Wei
Yang Ching-Shn
Wanh Hung-Hsiang
Turkey:
Mehmet Cankurt
Ramzan Dincer
USA:
Oscar Dominguez
Shawn Putnam
Johnny Archer
Stevie Moore
Charlie Bryant
Shaun Wilkie
Shane Van Boening
Corey Deuel
Charlie Williams
Venezuela:
Frailin Guanica
Jalal Youse
Vietnam:
Nguyen Ang Tuan


After a brief hiatus, other top Filipino players from the stables of Bugsy and Negros joined the 2nd WTBC giving the Philippines more opportunities to grab the "World 10-Ball Champion" title.

Below were the top 64 players who made the hill during the 1st three days of Championship:

1. Warren Kiamco (PHI) -------- 33. Jalal Yousef (VEN)
2. Jericho Banares (PHI) ------- 34. Thorsten Hohmann (GER)
3. Mario He (AUT) --------------- 35. Daryl Peach (GBR)
4. Radoslaw Babica (POL) ------ 36. Satoshi Kawabata (JPN)
5. Antonio Lining (PHI) -------- 37. Corey Deuel (USA)
6. Adam Smith (CAN) ----------- 38. Naoyuki Ooi (JPN)
7. Jeong Young Hwa (KOR) ---- 39. Jomar De Ocampo (PHI)
8. Nguyen Anh Than (VIE) ---- 40. Karl Boyes (GBR)
9. Niels Feijen (NED) ----------- 41. Mika Immonen (FIN)
10. Marlon Manalo (PHI) ------ 42. Fu Jianbo (CHN)
11. Ernesto Dominguez (MEX)-43. Nick Van Den Berg (NED)
12. Jonni Fulcher (GBR) ------- 44. Kenny Kwok (HKG)
13. Alain Martel (CAN) --------- 45. Jundel Mazon (PHI)
14. Huidji See (NED) ----------- 46. Ruslan Chinakhov (RUS)
15. Markus Juva (FIN) --------- 47. Elvis Calasang (PHI)
16. Johnny Archer (USA) ------ 48. Alwi (INA)
17. Lee van Corteza (PHI) ----- 49. Konstantin Stepanov (RUS)
18. Ben Nunan (AUS) ---------- 50. Chang Yu-Lung (TPE)
19. Imran Majid (GBR) -------- 51. Ronnie Alcano (PHI)
20. Thomas Engert (GER) ---- 52. Charlie Williams (USA)
21. Fu Che-Wei (TPE) ---------- 53. Roman Hybler (CZE)
22. Ricky Yang (INA) ----------- 54. Wang Ming (CHN)
23. Li Hewen (CHN) ------------ 55. Oliver Ortmann (GER)
24. Ralf Souquet (GER) -------- 56. Ignacio Chavez (MEX)
25. Darren Appleton (GBR) --- 57. Craig Osborne (GBR)
26. Christoph Reintjes (GER)- 58. Stephan Cohen (FRA)
27. Dang Jin-hu (CHN) ---------59. Yang Ching Shun (TPE)
28. Marcus Chamat (SWE) ---- 60. Kuo Po-Cheng (TPE)
29. Hayato Hijikata (JPN) ----- 61. Erik Hjorleifson (CAN)
30. Oscar Dominguez (USA) -- 62. Dennis Orcullo (PHI)
31. Yukio Akakariyama (JPN)- 63. Fong Pang Chao (TPE)
32. David Alcaide (ESP) -------- 64. Antonio Gabica (PHI)

Prior to the Stage-2 eliminations of the Championship, a 5-day grueling Stage-1 eliminations were held at the Star Billiards Club in Quezon City. A total of 126 players from 20 countries fought for the five Championship slots. These eliminations proved to be the most difficult segment of the WTBC having players compete from 10AM until 1AM the next day. Players who failed to win in the 1st day opted to compete in the succeeding days.

One of this year's WTBC highlights was the convening of the World Pool-Billiard Association's (WPA) General Assembly meeting at the Heritage Hotel, the official lodging for the WTBC. Members from the five continents were present and re-elected Mr. Ian Anderson as WPA president. Other officers elected were:  Peter Hawley as Vice President, Fran Crimi as Treasurer/Secretary General, Georgina Palacios as Deputy Secretary General and Jery Forsyth as Press Officer.

The World 10-Ball Championship was conceived by no other than BSCP chairman, Yen Makabenta. A journalist by profession, Yen is an avid pool player himself. Inspired by the successful hosting of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games Billiard events in Manila, Yen established Raya Sports the year after specifically to promote his favorite sport in the country to a higher level and for the world to know that the Philippines is the Mecca for pool. Raya acquired an 8 year right to organize the WTBC from WPA.

Initially, Raya Sports organized the 2006 World 9-Ball Championship (WNBC) held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City and prior to, the 1st BSCP National (9-Ball) Pool Championship.

In 2007, Raya again organized the WNBC at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and prior to, the 2nd BSCP National (9-Ball) Pool Championships and the 1st National Junior Championship.

2008 became the event filled year for pool in the country. In close coordination with BSCP, Raya sports continued to organize local tournaments such as the: 1st Philippine Pool Tour - Leg 1-Mandaluyong's Mayor's Cup and Leg 2-Palawan's Mayor's Cup, the 2nd National Juniors Championship, the 3rd National (10-Ball) Pool Championships and the 1st World 10-Ball Championship.

This year, the 1st Leg of the 2nd Philippine Pool Tour was conducted in Olongapo City, the 1st Philippine-Open (10-Ball) was organized at the SM Mega Trade Center in Pasig city and the 2nd WTBC. The 4th National (10-Ball) Pool Championships is scheduled on the 3rd week of December.

In all of these events, BSCP president Sebastian Chua owner of Star Billiards Center provided the venue, free-of-charge, for the (WTBC) eliminations, pool tables, cue balls and supplies. Mr. Chua is the exclusive distributor in the Philippines for Brunswick pool tables, Predator cue sticks, Aramith cue balls, Ivan Simoniz pool table cloths, Master cue chalks, among other leading brands. Star Billiards Club also organized several local tournaments dubbed as the Star Search Tournament.

Three years after the 2005 SEA Games, the BSCP ran in full-swing with spectacular events. This is in fulfillment of its mission promoting billiard in the country inspiring more Filipinos to be involved in the sport. More so in garnering respect from international bodies that the Philippines is the place where pool table kings come from.

2009 National Juniors Pool Championship

by Marlon Bernardino

JOHN CARLO CERNA of Pasay City turned back Zoren Bantayan of San Pedro, Laguna, 11-6, in the finals to rules the just concluded Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) 3rd Philippine Juniors Pool Championship for Boys 19 year old and below
on Sunday at the famous Star Billiards Center No.46 Joy St. in Grace Village, Quezon City.

Cerna pocketed won the P50,000 prize money, and earn the right to represent the country in this year’s WPA Junior’s World 9-Ball Championships on November 4 to 8 in Managua, Nicaragua plus a slot in the 2009 WPA World Ten Ball Championships on November 21 to 29 in Cebu City, in the three-day event hosted and organized by the BSCP headed by president Sebastian “Baste” Chua and chairman Florentino “Yen” Makabenta in close cooperation with Raya Sports and Star Billiards.

“Nagbunga din ang ginawa kong paghahanda,” said Cerna, who beat tournament favorite Jonas Magpantay, 9-6, in the cross-over semifinal round.

“At sa wakas po natumbok din natin ang korona,” added Cerna, much known “Putong” in the local pool circuit.

In the 1st Philippine Juniors Pool Championship in 2007, Cerna make it to the top four and settled runner-up place in the last year’s edition which topped by Jerico Banares.

Bantayan, meanwhile went home the runner-up prize of P25,000 for his effort. Bantayan needed to beat Jestoni Magadia of Cebu, 9-4, in another semifinal duel to forge a title showdown with Cerna.

Rounding to the top eight (8) finishers were Ricky Puro of Cebu, Ken Escano of Laguna, Raymond Eborda of Pasay and John Kevin Serdan of Bula, Camarines, Sur playing under the guidance of sportsman Manny Alfelor.

Achivements

For nearly 21 years, the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines has consistently won honors for the country, garnering three Asian Games gold medals and twenty-nine Southeast Asian Games gold medals.Committed to its mission as a National Sports Association, the BSCP has given its amateur players opportunities to master the sport by competing in the international arena other than the Asiad and SEA Games. Today, most of its players have turned “Professionals” competing with various Asian and World Champions such as Daryl Peach of Britain, Chia-Ching Wu of Taipei, Earl Strickland and Johnny Archer of the USA, Kelley Fisher of the USA, and Jasmin Ouschan of Austria, to name a few.

Today, the BSCP is proud to recognize the fruits of its many years of work. Players who have gained respect from the world’s top professional players: Lee Van Corteza, Antonio Lining, Warren Kiamco, Marlon Manalo, Antonio Gabica, Benjamin Guevarra, Jr., Gandy Valle, Joven Alba, Al Ortega, Alan Cuartero, Reynaldo Grandea, Rubilen Amit, Mary Ann Basas and Iris Ranola.

Even with its accomplishments, the BSCP remains vigilant and is fully aware of its crucial role in the sport of billiards. The adoption of new training technologies by foreign competitors is now a standard thus the BSCP feels that in order to remain competitive it is imperative to establish a Billiards and Snooker Academy. Only with this, the BSCP would be able to press forward with its mission in bringing more honors to Filipinos and the country.

Officers

Florentino P. Makabenta
Chairman/ Board Member

Sebastian Chua
President/ Board Member

Edgar AcabaSecretary General / Board Member

Carlos Santos-ViolaBoard Member

Emmanuel Argonza
Public Relations Officer / Board Member