Manalo et al eye slots in Qatar World Pool
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 02 Sep 2013
Manalo.
Manila -- FILIPINO cue masters are ready to face their respective opponents in the qualifying event (Stage 1) of the World 9-Ball Championship which will start on Monday, September 2 at the at the Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.
Marlon Manalo, Roberto Gomez, Ramil Gallego, Johann Chua and Demosthenes Pulpul will try to knock and enter in the first of 12 qualifying rounds wherein only one player is allowed to get in per event.
After a long hiatus, the affable cue artist and chairman of Barangay Malamig in Mandaluyong City, Manalo will go up against Mohannad Al Qomaiz of Kingdom of Saudia Arabia.
?I still believe I can become a world champion,? said Manalo, a many-time winner in the US Pool Circuit and runner-up to Reyes in 2004 World 8-Ball Championship.
"If we're lucky enough in the World Pool Championship in United Arab Emirates and Kaoshiung, Taiwan, I'd win at least one title for us," added the Jose Rizal University (JRU) AB Economics graduate.
"I will pour all that I know in Qatar," said Manalo, who settled for a silver medal in the snooker event by placing second to Bjorn Haneveer of Belgium in the 2001 Akita, Japan World Games.
Fondly called "Marvelous Captain" Manalo captivated the billiard circuit by clustering victories against noted pool sharks Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan and countrymen Efren ?Bata? Reyes and Francisco ?Django? Bustamante in the knockout stage of the World Pool Championship in 2004. The following year, the 2000 Asian Snooker Champion and 2008 National Champion Manalo went all the way to the semifinals of the same event before bowing to eventual champion Wu Chia-ching (Wu Jia-qing).
In other matchups, Gomez will oppose Daren Taylor of Great Britain; Gallego will face Moein Khedr of Iran; Chua versus Mosa Morad of Kuwait and Pulpul against Fahad Jwaied also from Kuwait.
The other noted local cue artists casting their lots in the qualifying are Joven Alba, Joseph Reyes, Joyme Vicente, Mark Cloyd San Pedro, Oliver Medenilla , Raymund Faraon , Benjamin Butterrez, Arman, Mark Antoni, Marlon Villamor, Ricky Puro, Fransisco Diselva and Michael Ybanez.
Pool wizards already seeded in the main draw (stage 2) are Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Lee Vann Corteza, Carlo Biado, Jeffrey de Luna, Israel Rota and Antonio Gabica, the national coach of Qatar.
Darren Appleton of Great Britain will make a return to defend his title from stage two onwards and so will the 2012 runner-up Li He-wen of China.
The 2013 World 9-Ball Championship sponsored by Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and co-sponsors by Simonis (cloth), organized by Qatar Billiards & Snooker Federation (QBSF) and sanctioned by World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) and Asian Pocket Billiard Union (APBU). The 250,000 USD week-long event offers 36,000 USD to the champion with the runner-up place will bring home 18,000 USD. -Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
T-Wolves Mangle Denver 115-70, Force Game Seven in West Semis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 17 May 2024Press Conference Notes: Emanuel Navarrete Motivated to Claim Four-Division World Title Glory in San Diego
Fri, 17 May 2024DON KING PROMOTIONS: “FISTS OF FURY” PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 17 May 2024Kevin Brown vs Idalberto Umara Headlines Boxlab Promotions Card in Orlando, FL, May 31
Fri, 17 May 2024Press Conference: Fury & Usyk Set Serious Tone Two Days From Undisputed Showdown
Fri, 17 May 2024Zanfer Wins Purse Bid for Apolinario-Ayala IBF Fight
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 17 May 2024Noynay loses to Sasaki by TKO in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 May 2024Boston Returns to East Finals; Dallas A Win Away for the West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 16 May 2024Arca Continues to Pursue Coveted IM Norm in Vietnam Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 16 May 2024Martin joins Pinoy invasion
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 16 May 2024Media Workout: Fury & Usyk T-3 Days From Making Heavyweight History
Thu, 16 May 2024ESPN and Top Rank Present DAZN on ESPN+ PPV Event: Undisputed Heavyweight Title Showdown Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk
Thu, 16 May 2024FIERRO AND RIVERA LAND TITLE FIGHTS IN PUERTO RICO
Thu, 16 May 2024Tayden Beltran vs Cesar Villarraga Headlines CBN Promotions June 22 Show
Thu, 16 May 2024Puerto Rican National Champion Carlos De León Castro Signs with Boxlab Promotions
Thu, 16 May 2024