 Marlon Manalo |
"MARVELOUS" Marlon Manalo wants to redeem himself on the international
stage when he anchors, along with Ronnie Alcano, the Team Philippines
against the Rest of the World in the San Miguel Corporation Kabayan
World 9-Ball Challenge beginning tomorrow at the Filipiniana Hotel in
Calapan City.
The many-time US Tour champion and semifinalist in the World Pool
Championship two years ago in Kaohsiung, Taiwan lost badly to Radoslaw
Babica of Poland in the Round of 64 in this year's edition of the
biggest 9-ball competition.
"I didn't exactly play bad," said Manalo, referring to his 1-10
defeat. "I just wasn't given much chance to show my stuff."
Joining Manalo and Alcano in the star-studded line-up are reigning
Asian Games 9-ball gold medal winner Antonio Gabica, recent Manny
Pacquiao International Open champ Jeffrey De Luna and former Asian
Games gold medalist and Asian Tour leg winner Gandy Valle.
They will be up against tough competition as former US Open winner
Rodney Morris of the United States and veteran internationalist Marcus
Chamat of Sweden lead the charge for the Rest of the World.
The other members of the international team are Darren Appleton, Karl
Boyes and three-time world snooker champion John Higgins.
The first international event in Oriental Mindoro coincides with the
province's 57th founding anniversary and is made possible by the San
Miguel Corporation, PAGCOR and PCSO with the help of the Office of the
Vice President and second district of Oriental Mindoro Rep. Alfonso
P.A. Umali. Solar Sports will air the actions on Nov. 27-29.
Also supporting the event are the Sporteum Inc. president (ACCEL)
Willy Ortiz, Manila Times, Business Mirror, DZSR Sports Radio.
Each player will play against all the players of the opposing squad in
10-rack matches. A win is worth two points, a draw is worth one point
and a loss is zero.
In case of a tie in the match point event, the team with superior
racks won will emerge as champion and bring home the $20,000 prize.
The losing team will receive $10,000.
File photo courtesy of Diana Hoppe
