A sport where age is not a factor

Monday, November 24, 2008

In my view, billiards is one sport where age does not matter in order for one to excel.

As a matter of fact, several former winners of the prestigious World 9-Ball Pool Championship, like Americans Earl Strickland and Johnny Archer, Chinese Taipei’s Chao Fong-pan, Germany’s Ralf Souquet and local idols Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, may be considered old for an athlete, yet they are good for some more years.

While it is true that there are other sports such as chess and marathon where age does not also matter, it is on record that a Filipino is yet to become a world champion in these sports. In billiards, the Philippines has already produced three world champions.

Hall of Famer Reyes was already 45 when he captured the world crown in Cardiff, Wales, in 1999. He is now 54.

Supported by brothers former Assemblyman Jose “Popit” Puyat and Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, the toothless “Magician” is an original member of the powerhouse Puyat Sports stable that includes the 58-year-old Jose “Amang” Parica, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 44; and 50-year-old Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat, who topped the recent Sen. Manny Villar Cup in Bacolod City.

Pagulayan, the 2004 world champion and 2005 US Open winner, is the latest addition to the team.

“His (Reyes) style is so drastically different,” once said the legendary Nick Varner, a two-time Billiards Digest Player of the Year. “He attracts a lot of attention. And he has a big impact on the way we Americans play the game.”

On the other hand, double world champion Alcano, who bagged the 2006 world 9-ball crown and the 2007 world 8-ball title, is now 35. Pagulayan, who won the 2004 world 9-ball and 2005 US Open crowns, is pushing 29.

Veteran internationalist Strickland is now 47, but still going strong. He won the world 9-ball title three times, in 1990, 1991 and 2002. Archer, 40, captured the championships twice, in 1992 and 1997.

On the other hand, two-time champion Chao, a contemporary of Reyes, took the crown in 1993 and 2000, while Souquet won it in 1996. Both are nearing 60, yet they are still capable of punishing young talents with their arsenals of flawless breaks, silk-smooth runs and merciless safeties.

Fong-Pang Chao on KF Cues 9-Ball Tour

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

K.F. Cues (Kao Fa Cues) has been a supporter of the billiard industry for many years now and as of late, a more recent sponsor to two of the top professional players in the United States, Ga Young Kim and Tony Crosby. The cue maker/manufacturer has decided to take that sponsorship one step further in the way of teaming up with Tony Crosby as lead sponsor of his upcoming tour – the KF Cues 9-Ball Tour.

K.F. Cues defines themselves as the leading professional in delivering exquisite pool cues and accessories. The company provides customers with not just sheer comfort, but stability and precision, along with excellent customer service. With forty years of cue making experience, K.F. Cues has extensive knowledge and offers absolute professionalism in what pool players need. As if the company being one of only a few ICA certified cue manufacturers was not enough of a credential to boast, support continues to grow via the professional pool scene with names such as Fong-Pang Chao, Tony Crosby, Ga Young Kim, and Xiao-Ting Pan proving its reputation in the billiards industry.

Crosby, along with K.F. Cues, will kick off their first season together this September 27th-28th at TJ’s Billiards in New Port Richey, Florida, with its $1600 total added events. The tour will offer $1000 added open nine-ball events on Saturday and Sunday; and $600 added amateur events Sunday only. Entries will vary for the two divisions: the main event will run $65 which includes a $10 green fee and $10 registration fee; while the amateur field will be $50 with the same green fee/registration fee included. Juniors will play for $15, amateur ladies receive half-off entries, plus a discount will be received by those that play both divisions. Prizes will be provided to top juniors and top women players, along with Player of the Year honors.