INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- Former world champions Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano and former world No. 1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante will mix it up with foreign bidders and upstarts in the 1st Quezon City Open 9-ball tournament next month.

Also seeing action in the $25,000 (about P1 million) tournament, the first by the newly-formed Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, are 2007 World Pool Championship runner-up Roberto Gomez, reigning national titlist Lee Van Corteza and Dennis Orcollo.

The BMPAP said the event kicks off a series of tournaments it is planning to hold in key cities around the country.

Qualifying tournaments for the QC Open are slated March 12 to 16 in various billiards halls across the country.

Cue stars from the country’s three biggest stables -- Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions and the Negros Billiards Stable -- are expected to compete for the top prize of $12,000.

Bugsy Promotions head and tournament co-organizer Perry Mariano said the main draw will be held at the Side Pocket Billiards Hall on Quezon Avenue, Paeng’s Skybowl at the Ortigas Center in Pasig City, and the New Farmer’s Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City.

The semifinals and finals are scheduled at the Trinoma Mall on North Edsa in Quezon City.

The qualifying tournaments will be held in major cities, including Cebu, Davao and Bacolod.

The tournament, open to local and foreign players, is expected to draw 100 players due to its minimum entry fee.