VETERAN Internationalist Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego leads a group of Filipino players to the Hokuriku Open 9-Ball Championship scheduled on October 10-11 in Kanuzawa, Japan.
The Japan-based Gallego, a member of the Billiards Managers and Players Association (BMPAP), won this year's Japan Open 9-Ball Championship by beating Taiwanese Li-wen Ro, 9-3, in the finals.
Gallego who hails from Bacolod City, also won the tough Manny Villar Cup Bulacan leg last July 2008.
Other Filipinos competing in the prestigious tournament are Antonio “Nickoy” Lining, Dondon Razalan, Jay-Ar Eroy, Rudy Morta, Crisencio Baliton and Katrina Rio Velarde.
Competitors are vying for the 500,000 yen top prize.
After the Hokuriku Open 9-Ball Championship, the Filipino pool shark is also scheduled to play in the 2009 All Japan Championship on November 9 to 15 in Amagasaki, Osaka, Japan.
Filipino pool maestro Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Warren “Warrior” Kiamco and Lee Vann Corteza are expected to lead the Filipino charge in the All Japan Championship.
