World Ten Ball champion Darren Appleton of England plans his return to Manila to join the field of 64 top players from around the world in the Philippine Open Ten Ball Championship in May.

According to RayaSports.com, the 33-year-old Appleton has expressed eagerness to return to Manila and join the tournament which is slated at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila on May 26-31.

Since winning the inaugural World Ten Ball championship in Manila, Appleton won several events including the US Bar Table 10 Ball Championship.

Other participants expected to join the event are European women’s champion Jasmine Ouschan, World 8-ball king Ralf Souquet of Germany and top World 9-ball player Daryl Peach.

A total prize fund of $84,000 is at stake in the Philippine Open, with $20,000 and a trophy going to the top winner.

Aside from the Philippine Open, which is being promoted by Raya Sports, other WPA world-ranking tour events are the three world championships (8-ball, 9-ball and 10-ball), the China Open, the Qatar Open, and the US Open.