The response to the second season of the Search for the New Billiards Idol has been extremely encouraging according to the organizers with dozens having already signed up and many more expected to join in the days ahead.
The search begins its new season on January 18 at the Superman Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City .
The tournament provides promising newcomers a chance to break into the elite circle of the Philippines pool stars in a year-long series sponsored by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP). It is now regarded as the premier grassroots development program in Philippine billiards.
BMPAP co-founder and passionate supporter of pool Perry Mariano who conceptualized the project over a year ago says “This is our commitment and we're doing it in the absence of a program from those who are supposed to do it” in what is clearly a dig at the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines which is the National Sports Association for the sport.
Last year, ‘Billiards Idol' attracted some 300 aspirants in its 15 preliminary legs, including provincial stop 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, bested the strong field of promising stars to emerge as the New Billiards Idol. He also pocketed a P40,000 cash prize sponsored by the Association of Clubs Karaoke and Disco Operators.
With his win Takayama will now be seeded in all Villar Cup events this year which is a reward courtesy of Senator Manny Villar's VILLARDS: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports.
Other Billiards Idol legs will be on February 22, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 18, October 20, November 22 and December 13.
Each tournament will have a total pot of P20,000, including a top prize share of P10,000 to the champion.
