Bata, Django lead entries in 1st Mayor Stephen A. Palmares 9-Ball Invitational Billiard Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Dec 2024
Billiard legends Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante are set to headline the 1st Mayor Stephen A. Palmares 9-Ball Invitational Billiard Tournament slated at the Arena Stadium in Passi City, loilo from December 6 to 8, 2024.
According to billiard promoter and tournament director Ramon "Maestro Monching" Mistica, Reyes and Bustamante have confirmed their participation in the 9-ball pool event which offers a total pot prizes of P500,000 with the winner getting the lion's share of P200,000.
“This is more exciting. This will be an action-packed 1st Mayor Stephen A Palmares 9-Ball National Open Billiard Tournament to be held on December 6 to 8, and we look forward to bringing more fun and excitement,” said Mistica, a pool instructor, was known to frequently play at the famous Star Billiard Center, and played against many of the most widely-known names of his generation including Efren “Bata” Reyes, Santos Sambajon, and “The Leader of the Filipino Invasion Jose "Amang" Parica., whom he beat in tournament in the mid 90's.
Reyes is considered as one of the most decorated billiard players in the country, with a US Open Pool championship, an Asian Games bronze medal and six Southeast Asian Games gold medals among his achievements.
Reyes also won the 1999 WPA World Nine-Ball Championship in Cardiff, Wales and the 2004 WPA World Eight-Ball Championship in Fujairah, United Ara Emirates.
"I hope to do well in this event," said Reyes, who served as the captain of Team Asia in the Reyes Cup, when they beat Team Europe, recently held in Manila.
For his part, Bustamante also has an illustrious career with over 70 international titles, including an Asian Games gold medal in the doubles event in 2002, and a golden finish in the 2010 WPA World Nine-Ball Championship.
Also joining are double world champion (9 ball and 8 ball) Ronato "Ronnie" Alcano, world 10 ball champion Chezka Centeno, All Japan champion Johann Chua, up and coming AJ Manas and world renown famous blogger Jaybee Sucal.
Reyes, Bustamante, mayor Palmares, Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera together with Commissioner Atty. Manuel Plaza, Commissioner Angel Bautista, Dr. Jesucito Garcia, Mr. Nopp Moriles and Mr. John Alexis Manalo have been invited to do the colorful opening ceremony.
Other notable masters participating are Warren Kiamco, Michael Feliciano, Russian Petiza, Jomel Sultan, Manolo Tanasas, Edwin Gamas and Dante Razalan.
The second to fourth placers will receive P100,000, P40,000 and P40,000, respectively, the 5th to 8th placers will earn P20,000 while the 9th to 16th placers will went home P5,000 each in this Games and Amusement Board (GAB) sanctioned tournament.-Marlon Bernardino-
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