Grass roots Billiards development program at The Pool Hall Caloocan
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 21 Feb 2025
The Pool Hall Caloocan or much known as Saito Billiard Hall is focusing on training beginners to further develop the billiards industry in the Philippines.
This was revealed by International Professional Billiard Promoter Japanese Hideki Saito who teamed up with many time Japan Champion Filipino Roel Esquillo.
"The secret of the strength of the Philippines, which leads the world of billiards, is the harsh law of the jungle in the Philippines. Only the elites who survive will dominate the country and take off to the world," said Saito, Owner and CEO at The Pool Hall Caloocan.
"However, the blossoming of billiards talent does not happen to all players at an early stage. Not everyone can become a special player as a teenager. There are many examples of players who grow slowly and succeed over time in other sports," he added.
"I have been observing the world of billiards in the Philippines for the past 10 years. I have seen many young players give up before they can show their talent. Then their billiards dreams are shattered and they disappear from the billiards hall.
"I now have my own billiards hall in Manila. So I am embodying the conclusions I have drawn from observing the world of billiards in the Philippines and running them as events.
"My conclusion was to protect the beginner class, D-minus, with a moratorium. They should not be preyed on by intermediate players. Beginners should gain many successful experiences in beginner-only areas, slowly improve their skills, and grow into intermediate players at their own pace. It is okay to know the harshness of the survival of the fittest after you become an intermediate player.
"This is my policy. And the Sunday Winner Takes All D-minus is a real implementation of this.
"This event ignores profitability. There is a maximum of 16 slots, but I always refuse entries from unknown players from other regions. As an event organizer, I would really like to aim for full entries, but I always prioritize protecting the moratorium of D-minus. You can't put wolves in the rabbit's cage.
"As a result, there was a week when a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old child won the championship. Teenagers also challenge themselves every week to become champions.
"And the oldest player to enter is an 81-year-old player. The moratorium I created gives even older players the joy of winning, and it is also the driving force behind enjoying billiards for a lifetime.
"This is a very time-consuming action. It takes a long time for a person to grow. TPH - SAITO BILLIARD HALL is slowly growing with them, and we are hoping to expand our unique community, which is unique in the billiards industry in the Philippines.
"We are still like rabbits that can be easily hunted, but we are nurturing the dragon of 10 years from now. And this dragon will one day take the world by storm as a new type of Filipino player. I am waiting in Caloocan City for that day to come," last word of Saito.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Wed, 01 Jul 2026HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED
Wed, 01 Jul 2026Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Jul 2026LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Wed, 01 Jul 2026KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Jun 2026Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP
Tue, 30 Jun 2026Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 30 Jun 2026Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11
Tue, 30 Jun 2026World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Jun 202612-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 30 Jun 2026World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October
Mon, 29 Jun 2026Filipino Jonas Magpantay wins Indonesia; pockets $15,000, gains steam heading to Vietnam
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Jun 2026Ex-kickboxer to debut in MMA Slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 29 Jun 2026