ABS-CBN to Broadcast World Pool
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 26 Oct 2007
MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- COME November, the most prestigious and biggest pool tournament in the world will be broadcast live over the Philippines' largest television network, ABS-CBN.
Raya Sports and Events, the Filipino promoter of the 2007 Philippines World Pool Championship, and ABS-CBN Sports forged an agreement yesterday for the live broadcast of the tournament from November 3 to 11. The event will be staged at the Araneta Coliseum.
Yen Makabenta, Raya Sports President, signed the agreement with Peter Musngi, ABS-CBN Sports Managing Director. The contract signing was held at Restaurant 9501 of ELJ Building , ABS-CBN's headquarters.
"We believe this partnership will enable us to bring the WPC to more viewers across the entire country," Makabenta said. "Combined with Araneta Center as venue, we will touching a new level of fan participation in our sport."
The ABS-CBN broadcast of the WPC will feature its own commentary and analysis in Filipino, separate from the international broadcast in English of ESPN.
Last year's WPC, the first held in the country, garnered 22.3 million viewers according to professional pollster Social Weather Station (SWS). Early sponsors who have signed up with the 2007 WPC include presentors Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and San Miguel Corporation as well as consistent billiards supporters Hotel Sofitel and Accel.
Raya Sports has brought the WPC into the country in partnership with Matchroom Sport of UK and ESPN-Star Sports, the official international broadcaster which will bring the event live to some 140 million subscribers in Asia alone. This does not include broadcasts in Europe, North America and the Middle East through ESS affiliates in the Sky, Fox and other Murdoch channels worldwide.
The 2007 Philippines WPC will bring in 128 of the best pool players from 46 countries around the world. These include former world champions Wu Cha Ching, Mikka Imonen, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Thorsten Hohmann, Earl Strickland, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, the defending champion.
Of the 128 slots for the WPC, ten will be open for the five-day qualifying tournament to be held at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City starting October 27, 2007. Over 150 players from all over the world have signed up for the 10 qualifiers, including expanded contingents from the Philippines , Taiwan , Japan , Europe, the US , Asia and the Middle East.
PHOTO CAPTION
Raya Sports President Yen Makabenta joins ABS-CBN Sports Managing Director Peter Musngi in signing the agreement for the live Philippine television broadcast of the 2007 Philippines World Pool Championship. The prestigious tournament is slated on November 3 to 11, 2007 at the Araneta Coliseum and will be aired live over Studio 23. Joining the contract signing at the ELJ Building 's Restaurant 9501 are ABS-CBN Chief Financial Officer Miguel Jose Navarete and Raya Managing Director JP Fenix.
(MARLON BERNARDINO)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Hard Road of Young Nationalista
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 03 Apr 20255 Pinoy boxers to fight in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Transatlantic Clash II - "Battle at the Bridge"
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Marco “El Tiburón” Romero moving up to scheduled 6-round bout next
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Filipino chess phenom wins at Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Thu, 03 Apr 2025IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS TOP UNDEFEATED LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER ERICK BADILLO TO CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT
Thu, 03 Apr 2025TURKISH KNOCKOUT ARTIST ELIF NUR TURHAN PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Thu, 03 Apr 2025The Past Week in Action 31 March 2025: Norman Stops Cuevas in 3; Mayer Outpoints Ryan; Zepeda Edges Farmer; Collazo Stops Cano; Yabuki KOs Ayala
By Eric Armit, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Wild and Wooly Wind-up Seen in West Top 3-6
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Melvin the Avenger
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 02 Apr 2025WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
Wed, 02 Apr 2025