BIG BOOM 10-BALL OFFERS BIG PRIZES
Cebu City to organize Mayor’s Cup Billiards tournament with Efren Reyes as special guest
Cebuano fans will get the chance to see legendary cue artist Efren “Bata” Reyes in action in the 10-Ball Open Billiard tournament, which started its qualifying phase yesterday at the Big Boom Sugbu in South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City.
Reyes, though, won’t see action in the four-day elimination round as he’s already seeded in the Top 16, where the action will start on Feb. 23.
“I expect a good game, there are a lot of good players here. Most of the current good players are in the VisMin areas,” Reyes said in a press conference at Raphael’s Sports Cafe yesterday.
Eugene “Bong” Agravante, regional sports coordinator of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), said that bringing Reyes to this tournament will inspire grassroots players.
The five-day tournament will shell out a total of P320,000 in cash prizes with the champion bagging P110,000. The second placer will get P70,000; the third placer will get P50,000; and the fourth placer will get P30,000.
Engr. Greg Pacres said there will be handicaps to level the playing field.
“If a Class C player goes against higher class players, there will be handicap. The players level are classified as Class A, B and C,” he said.
Cebu City Councilor and deputy mayor for sports Eugenio Gabuya said that this tournament is just the start for billiards in Cebu City this year.
Gabuya plans to hold the 1st Mayor’s Billiard Challenge that will involve grassroots and up-and- coming players in Cebu City.
“We are planning to do the Mayor’s Cup for Cebu City players after this tournament. Efren (Reyes) will still be our guest; his popularity can inspire young players,” he said.
Gabuya said that they hope to bring back billiards’ popularity with a series of tournaments, especially now that the sport is already part of the Palarong Pambansa.
“We are finalizing the mechanics for the first billiard Mayor’s Cup. It’s going to be anytime this year. Efren suggested September,” added Gabuya.
“The 10-Ball Challenge is part of the Sinulog activities at BigBoom sa Sugbu. We will support billiard and follow it up with the Mayor’s Billiard Challenge,” he said.
For the 10-Ball Open Billiard Tournament, the registration fee is P1,100, while the re-entry fee is P500. /
Nobody thought that Bubba Watson from Bagdad, Florida, would ever get to 10 wins. Let’s be honest, without lessons, head case, hooking the ball, slicing the ball, can’t putt, you know? BUBBA WATSON, who has earned $39 million over his career, on his 10th title.