Breaking News: San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour 2005 Makes Final Stop in Manila
Posted by: SallyP on Thursday, June 02, 2005 - 11:25 AM EST

San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour 2005 Makes Final Stop in Manila Asian Trick Shot Masters Marks Debut   Asia’s o­nly premier 9-ball tour reaches its final destination in Manila as the San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour takes place at the Robinsons Galleria, Trade Hall, 4th Level from June 3-5, 2005.  Reigning overall tour champion Efren “Bata” Reyes and former world number o­ne Francisco “Django” Bustamante lead an impressive cast of Asian pool players who will try to earn enough qualifying points towards the World Pool Championships in July.  The tour is the o­nly ranking tour in Asia for players to qualify to the World Pool Championships. The top ten finishers at the end of this year’s tour will automatically enter the World Pool Championships.   Now in its third year, the San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour is offering a total prize money purse of $50,000USD up for grabs at this weekend’s final stop in Manila. The main draw includes 32 top Asian players from 11 countries.   Unheralded Gandy Valle of the Philippines topped this year’s first leg in Singapore, while countryman and five-time leg winner Reyes won the second leg in Jakarta, Indonesia. Yang Ching-Shun prevailed in the third leg in his hometown of Kaohsiung last month. Valle, Reyes, and Yang each won the $10,000USD top prize.   Last year saw the 50-year old Reyes rule three of the Tour’s five legs. The player known as “The Magician” took home the leg titles in Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, and Taipei. The 2002 Busan Asian Games 9-Ball singles gold medalist, Yang topped the Hong Kong leg, while Lee Vann Corteza of the Philippines triumphed in Manila.   At this fourth leg of 2005, host the Philippines is represented by Reyes, Bustamante, Valle, and qualifiers Ronato Alcano, Ramil Gallego, and Antonio Lining.   Yang along with former World Pool champion Chao Fong–Pang and Singapore leg runner–up Wu Chia Ching are expected to challenge the Filipinos in the final leg. Filipino pool fans also get a rare treat as the first-ever Asian Trick Shots Masters will be held o­n June 5 at 1300 hrs. Reyes, Bustamante, Yang, and Chao will engage in game of can-you-top-this as they put o­n display their pool wizardry. For more information o­n the Tour, please check out www.asian9-balltour.com. For the latest schedules and program information o­n ESPN STAR Sports, catch us o­n the net at www.espnstar.com.   The San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour is sanctioned by the Asian Pocket Billiard Union and co-organized by ESPN STAR Sports’ Event Management Group (EMG) and Puyat Sports. San Miguel Beer is the title sponsor for the tour.   Iwan Simonis and Aramith supply the official tablecloth and official balls, respectively. Brunswick Metro is the official pool table, Holiday Inn Galleria is the official hotel, and the Robinsons Galleria is the official venue. STAR Sports is the official broadcaster. Sun Cellular is the official mobile service. The 2005 Tour has visited Singapore, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, and Manila. Besides the total prize money of $200,000USD, the top 10 players o­n the Tour Order of Merit every year will directly qualify into the World Pool Championships.