SANTIAGO CITY, Philippines – Dozens of aspiring Isabelino cue artists mix it up in their bid to join and pit their skills with the country’s world-class as The Manny Villar Cup kicks off its Isabela leg today at the La Salette High School here in the booming tourism hub of this bustling province.
These wannabes will compete for the five remaining slots to the 32-man main draw of this prestigious island-hopping series presented by Sen.Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine sports.
Aside from the chance to test their mettle against the likes of Efren “Bata” Reyes and defending leg winner Francisco “Django” Bustamante, the stage one survivors will also have a shot at the P800,000 pot at stake in this event co-organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, sponsored by Camella Communities and sanctioned by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines.
“We want to give those aspiring players from the countryside more chances to realize their dreams of joining our elite crop of world-class billiards players that’s why we’ve decided to give them more slots,” said BMPAP president Atty. Vic Rodriguez.