Archer Stung Pinoys In The 2nd SML Open 9-Ball Championship

Olympic Oval, Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Johnny Archer spoiled the party for the Filipinos, as he came on top, out-shinining 3 Filipino semifinalists in the 2nd Annual SML Open 9-Ball Championship, April 11-15.

It loomed to be a Filipino triumph in Calgary as 3 Filipinos entered the semis together with Archer. Filipino-Canadians Alex Pagulayan and Edwin Montal with Pinoy sensation Dennis Orcollo all entered the semis. Unfortunately, after the dust settled, it was Johnny Archer winning over Alex Pagulayan 15-11 in the finals.

The payout goes like this:

1st Johnny Archer $12000
2nd Alex Pagulayan $6000
3rd Edwin Montal $3000
4th Dennis Orcollo $2000

Philippine Billiard Players Ranking (Q1 - 2006)

OK, we still don't have any sort of official ranking for Philippine pool players. So I have decided to create my own list. The list is based on the performance of Filipino billiard players in recent tournaments. And since it is just early in the year, let me just give you the top 5.

1. Dennis Orcullo
Dennis is so far the hottest Pinoy player for 2006. He already won 2 tournaments in the US. - the World (9-Ball) Championship Bar Table Tournament and the US Bar Table Championship, 8-Ball Event. Also, he earned for himself a ticket for the International Pool Tour (IPT) by topping the Hard Times IPT Qualifier.

2. Antonio "Nickoy" Lining
Nickoy won the prestigious Japan Open 9-Ball Billiards Championship.

3. Efren "Bata" Reyes
The Magician is back in his winning ways as he topped the Derby City Classic One Pocket Event. In doing so, he also placed 2nd in the Derby City Classic "Master of the Table".

4. Edwin Montal
Filipino-Canadian Edwin Montal is representing the Canadian flag but he has made the Filipino race proud in the US Bar Table Championship. He has placed 2nd in both the 8-ball and 9-ball events.

5. Don-Don Razalan
A virtual unknown, Don-Don placed 2nd to Antonio Lining in the prestigious Japan Open 9-Ball Billiards Championship.

World Pool Championship In Manila

It is now official. The World (9-Ball) Pool Championship will be held in Manila, November 4-12, 2006.

Inspite the fact that the Philippines is the hottest hotbed of pool talents it would just be the first time for Manila to host the event. From 1999-2003 the event was held in Cardiff, Wales. After that, Kaoshiung, Taiwan hosted the event in 2004 and 2005.

Only two Filipinos emerged triumphant in the World Pool Championship so far. Pool legend Efren "Bata" Reyes won the event in 1999 while Filipino-Canadian pool sensation Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan championed in 2004. But because of the relocation, Filipinos are now being more favored to top the mother of all 9-ball events.

Another good news is that, the top prize this year would be an unprecedented $100,000 and the total prize pot is $400,000.