The first Philippine Open Pool Championship, which runs from May 27 to 31at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, is broadcast live by ESPN Star Sports and ABS-CBN Philippines.
The biggest sports broadcaster in the world, ESPN Star Sports will broadcast the tournament on its Star Sports channels in Asia. The network reaches over 30 countries.
ABS-CBN, the Philippines largest TV network, will broadcast the event all over the Philippine archipelago on its Studio 23 channel, and internationally on its Filipino Channel. Its international channel reaches North America, Europe, Japan and Oceania.
Both networks will broadcast live four hours daily, from 2 to 6 pm (Manila time).
Matches scheduled for TV coverage are posted daily on the official website: www.rayasports.com.
On opening day, May 27, the following matches are scheduled for broadcast:
1.Ralf Souquet (Germany) vs Jasmin Ouschan (Austria), 2-4 pm
2. Jerico Banares (Philippines) vs Jonni Fulcher (UK), 4-6 pm
Souquet is ranked No. 1 in the world by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), the international governing body for pool sports.
Ouschan is the No. 1 female player in Europe and has had success in major tournaments open to men and women, including the 2008 World Ten Ball Championship and the 2008 World Straight Pool Championship.
Jerico Banares is a 19-year-old player sensation from the Philippines. He placed second in the 2008 WPA World Juniors Championship and has won tournaments in his home country this year. He has climbed to the top of rankings by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).
Fulcher is one of the top-ranked players in Europe and the United Kingdom, which has lately produced several world-beaters, including reigning 10-ball champion Darren Appleton and world 9-ball champion Daryll Peach.
