The next big names in Philippine billiards will be known starting May 6 at the Sportscenter in Starmall, Alabang during the P1.2-million Manny Villar Cup Billiards Tournament.

Senate President Manny Villar himself announced Tuesday that the four-day event aims to develop new master cue artists who could follow in the footsteps of world-renowned Efren "Bata" Reyes, Ronnie Alcano, Django Bustamante, Alex Pagulayan, Dennis Orcollo, Lee Van Corteza, Warren Kiamco, Roberto Gomez and Rodolfo Luat, among others.

The Villar Cup promises to present a fresh approach to billiards tournament in the country, where the Philippines'f first Ring Game champion will emerge, the Senate chief said.
 
During the launch of the event, Villar was joined by RP billiard patron Aristeo "Putch" Puyat of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines.

The Villar Cup will also feature the Search for the "New Billiards Idols-Sipag at Tiyaga Edition."

The tournament, working in partnership with BMPAP, aims to gather hundreds of aspiring cue artists from Cebu, Davao, Tuguegarao, Pangasinan, Bacolod, Quezon and other areas.

The search is an open tournament with a 9-ball format, double-elimination to Last 32, single elimination from then on. Race to 7 wins. Prize at stake is more than P1.2 million.