Raya Sports InfoCenter

This is to formally inform you that  because of scheduling conflicts, the World Pool-Billiard Association and Raya Sports have jointly decided to postpone the World Pool Summit to a more suitable date next year.

As initially scheduled on Nov. 22-25, the Summit impinges on the dates of two other  major events in Asia, which will prevent many players from joining the tournament. These are;

1. The Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia
on November 11-22
The interlocking of dates will prevent many Southeast Asian players ,especially Indonesians, from joining the Summit.

2. The All-Japan Championship in Osaka
Nov. 14-20
The conflicting dates will prevent many players, especially Japanese,
from joining both tournaments.

The postponement to next year will enable Raya Sports to change
the Summit’s format — from a single elimination event  to a double elimination tournament.
This way, a player has to lose twice to be eliminated from the
tournament. this will allow all participating players the chance to recoup their
travel and hotel expenses and entry fee through prizewinnings.

We will advise you soon on the new dates for the World Pool Summit
once  they are set.

Meanwhile, we wish to inform everyone  that this decision will not affect in any way
the holding of the Philippine Open and the World 10-Ball Championship in Manila in 2012.
The following schedule is already set in the WPA Calendar:

1. Philippine open (for men and women)
April 8-15, SM Megamall, Manila

2. world 10-Ball Championship (for men)
May 6-13, SM Megamall, Manila

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Yen Makabenta
Chairman,
Raya Sports

L to R: Carlo Biado, Allan Cuartero. Photo by KC Cruz

The long wait is over for OFW Alan Cuartero.

The pool house pro from Kuwait whipped up-and-coming star Carlo Biado, 11-2, in the finals of the 10-ball division of the BSCP National Pool Championships on Tuesday at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City.

It was a dominant win for Cuartero, who only two days ago was beaten by Biado, 9-3, in the 8-Ball finals.

The sudden reversal of fortunes started as early as the second rack when Biado missed the 4-ball. That allowed Cuartero to break free early and the pride of Surigao del Norte won five straight games for a 5-0 lead.

“The moment I missed the 4-ball in the second rack, that started my downfall,” said Biado.  “Alan was able to pull away from there. Ideally, I wanted it more if both of us would simply change points, but it never happened.”

His game marred by dry breaks, missed shots and scratches, Biado’s first point came only in the sixth rack, but his inconsistency all match long was clearly telling and Cuartero scored the next five points to go over the hill first, 10-1.

There were exchanges of missed shots that took place in the 12th rack, but Biado salvaged another game. It proved to be his last stand.

Another missed corner shot by Biado on 4-ball in the 13th rack sealed his fate. Cuartero wasted no time disposing off the remaining balls one by one to complete the win and clinch the10-ball division title..

“This is my first time to win in the Philippines and it took so long, but it’s worth it,” said Cuartero, who leaves for the Japan Open next month and another tournament in Kentucky before coming back to the Philippines in December.

“Luck was not on his side,” he said of his opponent.  “and once you don’t get the right breaks, it becomes difficult for you to win. It happened to me during our 8-Ball finals,” added Cuartero.

In winning the 10-Ball crown, Cuartero pocketed the P50,000 prize.

Biado Crowned 2011 Philippine National Champion

By being a finalist in all three  discipline (8-ball, 9-ball and 10-ball) and playing for three consecurtive days, Biado could cite  fatigue as one of the main reasons for hia setback in the 10-ball finals.

“Fatigue took its toll on me today,” said Biado, champion of the 8-Ball division. “I felt that I was  not going to win when I was sitting on my chair. I was having a negative aura.”

But Biado had a great consolation. Despite the defeat, he emerged  as the best of the best at the end of the tournament when he bagged the grand championship and the P200,000 top prize on top of it.

He will have the destinction not only of being the 2011 Philippine national champion, but also of winning the toughest national chamionship ever staged in the country.

Biado was able to get 530 points for his performance in the9-day tournament. That enabled him to bag the grand championship.

Cuartero came in second, garnering P480 points and the P100,000 runner-up prize.

Orcullo was third with 470 points and a P50,000 prize.

Dennis Orcullo photo by KC Cruz

World No.1 Dennis Orcullo asserted his top ranking yesterday by beating handily determined challenger Carlo Biado, 11-8, in the finals of the 9-ball division of the BSCP National Pool Championship at the Star Billiards Center.

By beating Biado, Orcullo exacted sweet revenge against Biado, who had beaten him in their two previous meetings this year, first in the 2011 World 10-Ball Championship last May and second in the 8-ball division of the current BSCP Nationals last week.

The reigning World 8-Ball champion had to come from behind to snatch the victory from Biado, who had earlier won the 8-ball finals against Alan Cuartero.

Down 3-6, Orcullo climbed back into the match and raced ahead to the finish line.

“I knew he would dictate the tempo because he already had the feel of the TV table after playing in the 8-ball finals,” said Orcullo moments after clinching the 9-Ball title and the P50,000 prize on top of it.

“But I just waited for the perfect opportunity to launch a comeback by pouncing on his dry breaks and missed shots. Luckily, I was able to complete the win.”

\With Orcullo winning the 9-Ball division, the race to the grand championship of the BSCP nationals has become tighter. Both Orcullo and  Biado sport a victory each in the 3-game format of this Philippine national pool championship.

For Orcullo, the alternate break format used in the Nationals is a format that is beneficial to all players.

“This format is favorable to all players unlike the winner’s break format. Once you start winning consecutive racks, your opponent starts losing composure and confidence,” he said.

Photos by KC Cruz

Day Six now added.

Carlo Biado photo by KC Cruz

Finally, rising star Carlo Biado has officially won a pool competition, even if it’s only a share of the 2011 BSCP National Pool Championships.

One of the hottest Filipino players competing in big events, Biado nailed first first place in the ongoing BSCP Nationals by taking the 8-Ball division title. He,beat Alan Cuartero, 9-3, in a one-sided finale on Sunday at the Star Billiards Center.

The 27-year-old Biado pounced on Cuartero’s inconsistency in breaking the balls. An Overseas Filipino Worker, Cuartero had a lot of dry breaks, enabling Biado to pull away.
In winning the 8-Ball crown, Biado pocketed the P50,000 top prize and boosted his bid for the grand championship which carries with it a top prize of P200,000.

He is on track to winning the overall title, because he has also secured a finals seat in  the 9-Ball Division,  where he faces world No.1 Dennis Orcullo. . Their 9-ball title match is slated at 1pm today, Monday Oct.10.

“Finally, I won a big one,” said Biado after winning the 8-ball title. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. My drive of winning a major title got more intense after I lost my semifinal  in the World Ten Ball Championship this year.”

By taking one of the three championships at stake in this BSCP Nationals, Biado also secured a spot in the AKTV World Pool Summit slated to be held in Manila this November. The World Pool Summit is the last event in the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) calendar.

A dry break by Cuartero in the sixth rack allowed Biado to get back to the table and gallop ahead. the young player quaickly sank balls Nos. 1 to 8 for a 4-2 lead.

In the 7th rack, Biado sank the 7-ball and ran out the table  for a 5-2 lead.

Cuartero completed a runout in the 8th rack, but that proved to be the last time he could score as he had dry breaks on his next two turns and a crucial miss on the No.5 in the 12^th rack.

Biado, on the other hand, didn’t waste any opportunity and took advantage at every turn to complete a four-rack run – and the win.

“You need to have a runout in your breaks to beat your opponent in 8-hball.But it didn’t happen. I had a lot of dry breaks. It was just unfortunate for me,” said Cuartero, a house pro from Kuwait.

10-ball division: Chua Upsets Biado 

Orcullo, Gomez, Banares sweep three matches each.

Within hours of winning the 8-ball division, Biado encountered rough sailing at the start of the 10-ball division competition.

Johann, 19-year-old player who started playing while still in his shorts, dealt Biado a shocker. He beat Biado convinvingly by the score of 9-7.

Dennis Orcullo continued his confident march in the tournament by winning three of his 10-ball matches handily. He beat Eustacio Nicolas, 9-5; Rocky Tullao, 9-7; and Joven Bustamante, 9-2.

Two other strong contenders for the 10-ball division title are Roberto Gomez and Jerico Banares. Both won three matches each in yesterday’s competition.