Filipino darter nails London world tilt slot

FILIPINO dart ace Christian Perez ruled the three-day Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) South Asia qualifier in Kota Kinabalu last Tuesday to earn a slot in the 2014-15 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship set Dec. 12 in London.

The top-ranked player of the National Dart Federation of the Philippines, Perez whipped Bryan Eribal, 5-2, in the all-Filipino finals to book his third world event trip in the last five years.

Perez, nicknamed “The Titan,” is already assured of £3,500 (about P253,000) as the official representative of South Asia in the world’s richest annual dartfest.

Perez also holds the distinction of being the first Filipino to post a victory in the world tilt during his first appearance in 2009. He beat Alexis Toylo in the semifinals.

In previous editions, Dixie Ybanez landed in the top 8, Asia’s top darter Lourence Ilagan settled for 16th place and Adrian Marcelino ended up in 32nd spot.

The Perez-led PH team also ruled the team event in Sabah.

Other members of the team, which carried the colors of JRS & Darkside, were Andy Villamor, Prussian Arceno and Boie Parfan.  Team managers were National Dart Foundation of the Philippines  president Roberto “Tito” Soncuya and Barry Nagallo.

Reigning Philippine Masters champion Bhoy Ulang, Boy Gionzon and Nayr Ocampo also competed in Kota Kinabalu.