Inspired by the success of its inaugural staging, the Search for the New Billiards Idol kicks off its new season on Jan. 18 with another banner field expected at the Superman Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City.
Now considered as the premier grassroots development program of RP billiards, the year-round series of tournaments has attracted over 300 players from all over the country with Mike Takayama, a 19-year-old Fil-Japanese, besting a strong field to rule the event’s inaugurals.
“This is part of the (Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines’) commitment to keep RP billiards to its world-class status by discovering new talents,” said BMPAP co-founder Perry Mariano.
Last year, “Billiards Idol” held 15 preliminary legs, including provincial stops in Davao and Bacolod, and a grand finals that gathered the 27 top finishers in the preliminaries.
Takayama’s victory netted P40,000 plus a berth in the Villar Cup next year.
The other Billiards Idol legs will be held on Feb. 22, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 18, Oct. 20, Nov. 22 and Dec. 13.