PHILIPPINE billiards is getting a much-needed shot in the arm with the holding of the first ever professional pool league this year.
Four teams representing Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao make up the initial cast competing in the inaugural Sharks Billiards Association.
Some of the finest players and rising stars of the sport make up the pioneering teams, according to Chief Executive Officer and founder Hadley Mariano, who was joined by Chief Operating Officer Mark Orendain and Commissioner Chino Trinidad in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“Di ba ang hinihingi natin is a regionalistic flavor, so sabi ko ibigay na natin ‘yan sa tatlong regions natin — Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” said Trinidad in the weekly session backed by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, Smart/PLDT and the leading sports entertainment gateway in the country, ArenaPlus.
The fourth team is reserved for what Trinidad refers to as the “epicenter of billiards” in the country.
“Pag-uusapan pa namin kung ito ba ang sentro ng bilyar dito sa atin. Itong NCR ba o ang Pampanga ba? Kasi kahit saan ka magpunta, may nagbi-bilyar. Pero ano ang acknowledged na epicenter, is it Manila or is it somewhere in Pampanga na birthplace ni Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes,” said the former broadcaster and commissioner of the defunct Philippine Basketball League.
A draft pool will be held before the opening of the meet, but Mariano refused to name the players who have already committed to see action in the tournament.
“Marami akong nakikitang players na magaling pero hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. So itong mga players na ito, gusto ko silang unahin kasi walang silang sponsor, wala silang manager, hindi makasali sa mga tournament,” he said. “So the league will start with players na hindi nakakalabas ng bansa. Pero definitely, these are top players (in the country).”
All players will be given salaries and contracts, and will undergo professional training.
