Press Release
September 24, 2012

Villards Cup gives amateur billiards players a chance to shine

Senator Manny Villar has called on his fellow government officials as well as those in the private sector to support Filipino athletes particularly those in disciplines "where we excel in international arena."

Villar specifically cited billiards, a sport he's been supporting thru the Villar Foundation, as one of those that should be given enough support not only on the elite level but down to the grassroots as well.

"Gaya ng palagi kong sinasabi, itong bilyar ang sport na akmang-akma sa ating mg Pilipino sapagkat ito ay nalalaro ng bata, matanda, babae, lalaki at napatunayan na ng mga kagaya nina Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Ronnie Alcano at Dennis Orcollo na dito ay kaya nating maghari sa buong mundo," said Villar during the opening ceremonies of the latest installment of the Villards Cup Sunday at the newly-opened Starmall in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The Villar Foundation started the Villards Cup in 2008 and provided a regular venue for the country's top cue artists to showcase and pit their skills against each other. It has also succeeded in discovering new talents.

"Villards Cup is one of the sports-oriented programs of the Villar Foundation to encourage the youth to engage in sports, and keep them away from the streets and from illegal drugs," said Villar Foundation managing director and former Las Pinas Representative Cynthia Villar.

Sixteen aspiring pool players from different parts of Bulacan qualified in this Villards Cup leg and they are also vying for cash prizes worth almost P300, 000.

Early results saw Resty Labastida of Bocaue edging out Victor Calipaya, 7-6; Eduardo Lim of Meycauayan blanking Baliwag's Jonas Paolo Ramos, 7-0; Marilao's Egie Geronimo outlasting Plaridel's Ronnel Datiles, 7-5; and Jordan Legaspi of Bocaue dominating Jennalyn Francisco of San Jose, 7-1.

Gary Esguerra of Baliwag also edged out Richard Aquino, 7-6, while William Trinidad of Angat defeated Jaypee Salih of San Jose, 7-5, Kenneth Garcia of Marilao beat Marvin Glinogo, 7-6, and Robert Belicaro of Sta Maria downed RJ Bodol, 7-5.

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