Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, the acknowledged "Godfather" of Philippine pool has praised billionaire Kevin Trudeau's International Pool Tour as "the greatest event to happen in the world of pool." Puyat thanked Trudeau for "taking this big plunge into the game. You are really giving these players something and the game will be even more popular from here on."
In an interview with Viva Sports for an IPT television special Puyat said that for the first time "brilliant athletes are given a chance to show the world what they can do."
Puyat said Trudeau "came out of the horizon because of his love for the game, threw in a couple of million dollars and turned everything upside down and everybody is now trying to win some real money."
Puyat granted the interview even as the first IPT 'King of the Hill' 8-ball finals between two Hall of Fame awardees Efren 'Bata' Reyes and American Mike Sigel was to be telecast by Viva Sport at 9:00 p.m today. over RPN 9.
Reyes and Sigel battled for the biggest prize in the history of pool - a cool $200,000 - in a Hollywood-style setting in Florida.
Puyat said Reyes, known around the world as "The Magician" was better in 8-Ball which was "harder with more obstacles on the table. He is always good when his back is against the wall" especially against a great player like Sigel who is nicknamed 'The Mouth' because of his constant chatter.
Puyat noted that six Filipinos have qualified for the next big money IPT tournament led by Reyes, his bosom buddy Francisco 'Django' Bustamante, 'Marvelous' Marlon Manalo, Alex Pagulayan, Dennis Orcollo and Warren Kiamco.
The "King of the Hill" TV special is sponsored by San Miguel Beer, Shakey's, Talk N' Text
