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New pool talents lining up for 'Billiards Idol'

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 01/11/2009 7:04 PM

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New billiard talents have already signed up and more are expected to join the Search for the New Billiards Idol, which kicks its second season on January 18 at the Superman Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City.

A report posted on BilliardPhilippines.com described the event, organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), as the premier grassroots development program of the local pool scene.

Among the aspirants shooting for the Billiards Idol event is Johann “Bubwit” Chua of the Bugsy stable. 

“This is our commitment, and we’re doing it in the absence of a program from those who are supposed to do it,” said BMPAP co-founder Perry Mariano.

“Billiards Idol” has attracted some 300 wannabes during its inaugural run in 2008. It stretched into 15 preliminary legs, including provincial stops in Davao and Bacolod, and a Grand Finals featuring 27 top performers from the preliminaries. 

Mike “the Lightning Kid” Takayama, a 19-year-old Fil-Japanese, was hailed as the New Billiards Idol in 2008, winning the P40,000 cash prize plus a seeding in all Villar Cup tournaments in 2009.