Big names in billiards playing in tournament organized by Pacquiao

Rep. Manny Pacquiao. FILE PHOTO

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—International billiards artists such as Mika Immonen of Finland, Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, Earl Strickland of the United States and Ralf Soquet of Germany, are coming to town in September, Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao told the Inquirer in a telephone interview on Friday these professional cue artists were among billiard players from 30 countries who will be competing in the five-day International Open Double 10-Ball Tournament that he has organized.

The P5-million tournament will be held at the Pacman Multi-Sports Gymnasium in the Tambler district of General Santos September 1 to 5. It will  also feature other noted foreign players like Jason Shaw of Canada, Darren Appleton of the United Kingdom and American Rodney Morris.

“Top billiard players from 30 countries have already confirmed their attendance,” said Pacquiao, himself a billiards enthusiast.

He said he himself would play alongside international pool champion Marlon Manalo during the tournament.

Pairs of Filipino professional cue artists will also be playing during the World Pocket Billiards Association-sanctioned event. They include Nickoy Lining and Ramil Gallego; Jeff de Luna and Jeffrey Ignacio; Gaga Gabica and Israel Rota; Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes and Django Bustamante; and Dennis Orcollo and Carlo Biado.

Pacquiao said the tournament was part of  various activities lined up for the city’s week-long Tuna Festival. The city will also be celebrating its 46th charter anniversary on September 5.

But he said his main goal in inviting international pool players over was “to promote not just the image of Sarangani and General Santos but of the entire Mindanao.”

“So, it’s a great opportunity for us to prove to them that there’s more to Mindanao than sensationalized reports of violence and conflict,” Pacquiao added.

Pacquiao said that the tournament champion will take home $40,000 plus a trophy, while the first runner-up will pocket $15,000.

Cash prizes will also be given even up to the 16th placer, he said.

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