Top aces join Pacquiao’s PH 10-ball tourney

A STELLAR field will be vying in the Philippine Open 10-Ball Championships with 11 of the world’s top 20 players signing up for the $150,000 event slated on Dec. 8 to 16 at SM City Mall in General Santos City.

World No. 2 Shane Van Boening of the United States, No. 3 Chang Yu Lung of Taipei and No. 4 Dennis Orcollo of the Philippines head the early bets in the event being bankrolled by eight-division world champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Also entered is German Thorsten Hohmann, singles division champion of  last month’s GenSan Tuna Festival Pacman Cup and currently world No. 7.

Hohmann, who calls the Philippines his second home because of his Filipino girlfriend, will also be on hand to celebrate the birthday of  Pacquiao, who is turning 36 on Dec. 16.

Also joining are Kuwaitis Omar Al Shaheen, Khaleed al Mutaire and Muhammad al Alshammari and Mexican Ruben Bautista Escalera.

Top players from Iran and Poland have likewise sent feelers.

Though world No. 8 Li Hewen hasn’t confirmed his appearance, China has signified its intention to send a strong contingent.

Apart from Orcollo, other Filipinos hoping to contend are world No. 9 Carlo Biado, No. 10 Johann Gonzales Chua, No. 17 Lee Van Corteza, No. 19 Jeffrey Ignacio, No. 20 Warren Kiamco and No. 21 Elmer Haya.

Finland’s former world champion Mika Immonen, currently ranked 13th, will be a threat, along with Filipino greats Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Efren “Bata” Reyes, who have slipped to 36th and 37th, respectively.