Villar renews commitment to support sports of billiards

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Bulacan – Senator Manny Villar has renewed his commitment to support the sports of billiards as he formally opened the 2012 Villards Cup Bulacan leg at the newly-opened Starmall in San Jose Del Monte City here.

Villar made the ceremonial break in the presence of world champions Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes, Django Bustamante, Ronnie Alcano and Dennis Orcollo, whose victory in the recent China Open was recognized by Villar himself through a Senate resolution.
”Billiards is one of the sports that have been the source of pride of the Filipinos. Of course, other is boxing. Efren Django, Ronnie and Dennis have so many fans and we brought this tournament here in Bulacan so that our young players here will have a chance to excel in this sport,” Villar said.
The Villiards Cup started in 2008 through the efforts of Villar Foundation managed by Villar’s wife, former Las Pinas congresswoman Cynthia Villar. It aims to provide billiards players a venue to compete against big names in the sport.
”Villiards 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 Mrs. Villar, who is set to grace the awarding and closing ceremony on Monday.
Reyes teamed up with Alcano as they played an exhibition match against Bustamante and Orcollo to the delight of the big crowd at the center table.
A total of 16 players from all over the province of Bulacan qualified for the competition.
They are Jonas Paolo Ramos, Ri Bodol, Jordan Legazpi, William Trinidad, Marvin Glinogo, Gary Esguerra, Richard Aquino, Rodrigo Geronimo, Romel Datiles, Jaypen Salih, Resty Labastida, Jannalyn Francisco, Eduardo Lim, Kennet Garcia, Victor Calipayo and Roberto Bilicano.
Big cash prizes await the winners plus a very rare opportunity to play against the country’s champions.