POOL FANS in Manila can look forward to one of the finest line-up of current and recent champions ever assembled when the 2011 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters takes place at the SM City North EDSA Mall in Metro Manila, Philippines from Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th September.
Promoters Matchroom Sport has pulled out all the stops to put together a field that includes the current World 8 Ball, 9 Ball and 10 Ball Champions, as well as the Beijing Open and China Open winners.
The popularity of pool in the Philippines is such that there are four representatives from the home nation, surely making them favourites to lift the coveted trophy on the final day.
In addition there are past and present US Open winners as well as some popular Masters Champions from the 18 year history of the event. All in all 16 greats from around the world will be converging on Manila to vie for the $20,000 top prize from the total purse of $66,000.
The format is race-to-8, winner breaks, and all matches will be televised live throughout on Solar Sports in the Philippines. Matchroom Sport TV will subsequently produce 15 x 1 hour highlight shows for global distribution.
Commented Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn, "I think it's fair to say that this is one of the strongest fields ever assembled for the Masters. There will be no easy matches and every player here is a champion.
"It will be hard to back against the Filipino players in front of what will be huge crowds in Manila, but with the strength in depth of the line-up, they all have a chance."
The Players
Yukio Akagariyama – Japan
Darren Appleton – England
Francisco Bustamante – Philippines
Chang Jun-ling – Taiwan
Lee Van Corteza – Philippines
Tony Drago – Malta
Jianbo Fu - China
Raj Hundal - India
Mika Immonen – Finland
Jason Klatt – Canada
Chris Melling – England
Dennis Orcollo – Philippines
Efren Reyes - Philippines
Huidji See - Holland
Ralf Souquet – Germany
Shane Van Boening – USA
