A sport where age is not a factor

In my view, billiards is one sport where age does not matter in order for one to excel.

As a matter of fact, several former winners of the prestigious World 9-Ball Pool Championship, like Americans Earl Strickland and Johnny Archer, Chinese Taipei’s Chao Fong-pan, Germany’s Ralf Souquet and local idols Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, may be considered old for an athlete, yet they are good for some more years.

While it is true that there are other sports such as chess and marathon where age does not also matter, it is on record that a Filipino is yet to become a world champion in these sports. In billiards, the Philippines has already produced three world champions.

Hall of Famer Reyes was already 45 when he captured the world crown in Cardiff, Wales, in 1999. He is now 54.

Supported by brothers former Assemblyman Jose “Popit” Puyat and Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, the toothless “Magician” is an original member of the powerhouse Puyat Sports stable that includes the 58-year-old Jose “Amang” Parica, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 44; and 50-year-old Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat, who topped the recent Sen. Manny Villar Cup in Bacolod City.

Pagulayan, the 2004 world champion and 2005 US Open winner, is the latest addition to the team.

“His (Reyes) style is so drastically different,” once said the legendary Nick Varner, a two-time Billiards Digest Player of the Year. “He attracts a lot of attention. And he has a big impact on the way we Americans play the game.”

On the other hand, double world champion Alcano, who bagged the 2006 world 9-ball crown and the 2007 world 8-ball title, is now 35. Pagulayan, who won the 2004 world 9-ball and 2005 US Open crowns, is pushing 29.

Veteran internationalist Strickland is now 47, but still going strong. He won the world 9-ball title three times, in 1990, 1991 and 2002. Archer, 40, captured the championships twice, in 1992 and 1997.

On the other hand, two-time champion Chao, a contemporary of Reyes, took the crown in 1993 and 2000, while Souquet won it in 1996. Both are nearing 60, yet they are still capable of punishing young talents with their arsenals of flawless breaks, silk-smooth runs and merciless safeties.

Archer on American Mosconi Cup Team Complete

Matchroom Sport has announced that Jeremy Jones and Earl Strickland have been chosen to fill the final two spots in the American line-up at the 2008 PartyCasino.com Mosconi Cup.

The pair will join Shane Van Boening, Johnny Archer and Rodney Morris on the American side, which was upset by the Europeans last year in Las Vegas. The only change from 2007 team is the substitution of Jones for Corey Deuel.

The American team not be lacking in experience, with Strickland making his 13th appearance and Archer his 12th. All in all, the five Americans have a total of 35 appearances at the yearly Ryder Cup-style event.

Van Boening is by far the greenest member of Team USA, though he may also be the most feared. In his Mosconi Cup debut last year, the 25-year-old South Dakotan won three of his five matches.

Though Strickland has struggled in international singles events, he has always been a force at the Mosconi Cup. Of the 61 player to compete in the event, Strickland has the best record, winning a staggering 37 of his 56 matches.

“I’m a more intelligent player than most of these guys. I’m working hard and I think I’m close to being back to my very best," he said. "The Mosconi Cup is my kind of tournament, and I’m looking forward to doing my best for the U.S.A. in Malta.”

Looking to win a second straight Cup for the first time in the event's 15th year, Team Europe will consist of Ralf Souquet, Mark Gray, Tony Drago, Niels Feijen and Mika Immonen.

Eight Billiard Players Return for U.S. Open including Archer

Only eight players are still alive at the 33rd Annual U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships, held this week in Chesapeake, VA.

Friday’s elimination rounds began with Lee Van Corteza sending 22-year-old Oscar Dominguez home 11-6, while fellow countryman Warren Kiamco ousted Tony Chohan 11-3. Also, Donnie Mills continued his winning ways, eliminating Canada’s Tyler Edey 11-8, with Corey “Cash Money” Deuel defeating Larry Nevel 11-7.

The 1 p.m. round featured winners’-bracket matches. Reigning 9-ball champion Daryl Peach went up against Johnny Archer in one of the event’s lengthiest matches, 4 hours and 40 minutes. It was close throughout, going to 9-all. Peach almost scratched on the break, but Archer cleared that table to take the hill. Archer jumped the cue ball off the table on his next break, but Peach hooked himself on the 4 ball and was forced to jump, almost making the 9. With only five balls left on the table, Archer cleared the table easily for the 11-9 win.

Rodney Morris had a tight match against Thorsten Hohmann. The score went all the way to 10-9 in Morris’ favor when he scratched on the break and screamed. Hohmann cleared to make it hill-hill and then engaged Morris in a lengthy safety battle on the 1 ball. Finally Hohmann left Morris a shot, and Morris jacked up and fired in the 1 ball to clear the remainder of the balls for the 11-10 win.

Mika Immonen grabbed an early lead in his match against Jose Parica and never relinquished it, winning 11-8. In the last winners’-side match, Francisco Bustamante never seemed to show up in his match against Ronnie Alcano. At one point he was down 9-4 but managed to take two racks before Alcano won their match 11-6.

In the 3 p.m. elimination rounds, Corey Deuel demonstrated serious prowess over Francisco Bustamante. Though Bustamante had few errors, they were important ones, while Deuel didn’t always make his position but made some excellent shots to win 11-7.

Hohmann finally ended Donnie Mills’ run at the title after defeating him 11-9, while Corteza sent fellow Filipino Parica home 11-5. Additionally, Kiamco dealt Peach an 11-3 defeat in their elimination match.

In the evening rounds, winners’-bracket matches will be Johnny Archer versus Mika Immonen, and Rodney Morris versus Ronnie Alcano. In the one-loss side, Thorsten Hohmann will play Corey Deuel, while Warren Kiamco plays Lee Van Corteza.

Foreign cue artists main draw in World 10-Ball

Organizers of the World 10-Ball Championships are banking on a host of foreign cue artists to be the main draw in the week-long tournament, which will be missing the country’s top pool players.

A total of 128 players will vie for the $400,000 purse at stake, $100,000 of which goes to the champion of the tournament slated from September 29 to October 5 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Raya Sports and Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Yen Makabenta said former Asian snooker champion Marlon Manalo and 2006 Doha Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica will lead the country’s campaign against reigning World 9-Ball champion Daryl Peach of Great Britain, former titlists Ralf Souquet and Thomas Engert of Germany, Chinese-Taipei’s Wu Chia-Ching and Americans Johnny Archer and Shane Van Boening.

Jeffrey de Luna, Elvis Calasang, Elmer Kalaquian, Jerico Banares and Mario Tolentino will also carry the Philippine colors in the tournament.

The tournament will have 128 players divided into 16 groups in the winner's-break elimination format. The top four from each group will advance into the 64-man knockout stage.

A winner-take-all match for third place will be played on October 5 while the title match between the top two cue artists begins at 5pm.

Philippine Vice President Noli De Castro will be the tournament’s guest of honor during the opening ceremony on September 29 at the PICC.

Cash-rich World 10-Ball set at PICC

Its all systems go for the 2008 World 10-Ball Championships with no less than Vice President Noli de Castro as guest of honor in the inaugural opening at the Philippine International Convention Center on Sept. 29.

De Castro will grace the opening rites at 9:30 a.m. including the ceremonial breaks, which will formally usher the group stage elimination of the competition.

A total of 128 players from all over the world representing 40 countries will be vying for the total purse of $400,000 with $100,000 going to the champion.

“This is going to be the biggest international billiards tournament in the country since I believe the World 9-Ball Championship has been postponed for next year. Mabibigat ang mga darating na players dito,” said Raya Sports president Yen Makabenta.

Makabenta mentioned the likes of reigning world 9-ball champion Daryl Peach of Great Britain, former titlists Ralf Souquet and Thomas Engert of Germany, Chinese-Taipei’s Wu-Chia-Ching and Americans Johnny Archer and Shane Van Boening as among the top picks in the tourney.

The host country will be bannered by former Asian snooker champion Marlon Manalo, Doha Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica, Jeffrey de Luna, Elvis Calasang, Elmer Kalaquian, Jerico Banares and Mario Tolentino.

However, organizers are still uncertain if the country’s celebrated cue artists can join the competition.

“It would be good if everybody would take part. But if they don’t we can’t do anything about it,” added Makabenta obviously referring to big guns Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Ronato Alcano and Alex Pagulayan, who comprised the breakaway group that boycotted the BSCP.

In the absence of some of the country’s bests, Makabenta said it’s just anybody’s game.

The tournament will group the players into 16, seeing action in the winner’s break elimination, with the top four from each group advancing into the 64-man knockout stage.

A winner-take-all match for third place will be played during the final day, preceding the championship game that begins at 5 p.m.

Turning Stone Gets Rolling

One day into the Turning Stone Classic XI, the contingent of WPBA stars must be feeling pretty good in upstate New York. Karen Corr, Liz Ford and Joanne Ashton all won their first-round matches.

The seventh-ranked player on the Classic Tour posted the biggest upset of the day, beating Corey Deuel in dramatic fashion. Kelly faced an 8-6 deficit against Deuel, who snapped off the Allen Hopkins 9-Ball Shootout last week. But Deuel was a little sloppy with a safety, and that's all Kelly needed. She cleaned up that rack then took the next two for the win.

As recent history suggests, Johnny Archer will be the man to beat when the bracket narrows. He has won three of the last four Turning Stone events, including February's final over Jeremy Sossei.

Archer easily advanced into the second round, routing Pete Bowman, 9-2. He will face Tony Crosby in one of the most anticipated second-round matches.

Other big-time matches in round two include Mika Immonen against Jose Parica, Mike Davis facing Raj Hundal, and Ernesto Dominguez meeting Francisco Bustamante.

Action at the Turning Stone Classic held at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, will run through the weekend, with the final scheduled for Sunday evening.

Archer at Accu-Stats 14.1 Invitational

After a weak start at the Accu-Stats 14.1 Straight-Pool Invitational, John Schmidt found his mojo on Saturday with a scorching run of 169 against Johnny Archer, putting him in line for a $1,000 high-run bonus.

The double-round-robin event, broadcast live via Internet pay-per-view, wraps up on Sunday with four hourly matches starting at 3 p.m., EST. Thorsten Hohmann of Germany holds an almost insurmountable lead on the field, so far undefeated at 6-0.

The event’s unique format pits five players — Schmidt, Archer, Hohmann, Ralf Souquet and Jose Parica — in race-to-60 straight-pool sets. However, winners are allowed to continue their runs in hopes of scoring bonuses and player-spotlight videos produced by event host Accu-Stats Video Productions.

Schmidt lost his first several matches of the event, which began on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Comet Billiards in Parsippany, N.J. But he kept practicing on side tables and finally broke out against Archer on Saturday. He ran 60-and-out and then continued his run in a rhythm that commentator Danny Diliberto compared to free-stroking “Machine Gun” Lou Butera. At 169, he understroked a key ball, ending his streak.

Parica, holding a 4-2 record, is the only player with a shot at matching Hohmann, in which case there will be a 9 p.m. playoff.

Accu-Stats Makes PPV Broadcast Debut

Long the number one resource for archived footage of some of the greatest matches in the history of pool, Accu-Stats is trying its hand at live pay-per-view Internet broadcasts.

The Accu-Stats Invitational 14.1 Tournament will begin Thursday evening at Comet Billiards in Parsippany, N.J. A five-player field of Johnny Archer, John Schmidt, Ralf Souquet, Jose Parica and Thorsten Hohmann will play a full double round robin. Each match will be a race-to-60, with the winner having a shot at running 100-plus balls for bonus money.

The tournament will begin tonight at 7 p.m. (EST). There will be one evening session on Friday, an afternoon and evening session on Saturday, and a final Sunday session at 3 p.m. Billy Incardona and Danny DiLiberto will be the Accu-Stats commentators.

World 14.1 Enters Knock-Out Phase

Finishing off round-robin play in dominating fashion, Mika Immonen earned the top seed in the knock-out stage of the Predator World 14.1 Championship — held through Saturday at the Hilton Hotel in East Brunswick, N.J.

Going 7-0 in the group stage, Immonen ended with a combined score of 700-210 — averaging an astounding 70-point margin of victory.

Three other players also went unbeaten through the first three days of play. Nick Van den Berg of the Netherlands secured the second seed in the 32-player bracket, while countryman Niels Feijen took the No. 3 spot. Johnny Archer finished fourth overall among the 64 players by going undefeated in his group.

Straight-pool legend Mike Sigel survived what turned out to be the "group of death." Five players tied with 5-2 records in Group 2, including Thorsten Hohmann and Charlie Williams. Jonathan Fulcher was the unlucky man out, eliminated by virtue of a tiebreaker based on total points.

The World Championship will now be single-elimination until a winner is crowned on Saturday evening.

Interesting matchups in the round of 32 include Mika Immonen against Jasmin Ouschan, who advanced despite struggling to a 3-4 record in group play; rising star Mike Dechaine facing Bobby Hunter, the last American to win the world title in 1990; and Hohmann taking on Williams, who has had a number of top finishes in recent months.

Bustamante, Immonen, and Archer Win Opening 14.1 Rounds

Three days of preliminary round robin play launched the $25,000-added, 2008 Predator Straight Pool Championships in East Brunswick, NJ, August 25. Eight groups of eight players, featuring competitors from all over the world, squared off to play two or three opening rounds of play (depending on match progress within the groups) at the Hilton Hotel.

The Philippines’ Francisco Bustamante started his tournament bid with a 100-79 victory over Carmen Lombardo and then handed Tony “The Silent Assassin” Robles his first defeat of the tournament 100-39. Germany’s Ralf Souquet (#12), in that same group, defeated Austria’s Martin Kempter (#5) 100-64 in his opening match.

Finland’s Mika Immonen (#7) started off in grand style, allowing two opponents to sink only 39 balls between them. He defeated USA’s Bobby Hunter 100-9 in a match that saw Immonen sink 86 in a row, and then defeated Mark Ritter 100-30.

Fresh off his Turning Stone Classic win, Johnny Archer started his tournament off with two victories, as well, defeating Austria’s Jasmin Ouschan 100-36 and then Netherland’s Mohammed Hakim 100-68. Though Thorsten Hohmann (#2) defeated tournament founder Charlie Williams 100-68 to start his tournament off on a positive note, Williams rebounded to win his next two against Jonathan Fulcher 100-66 and Devon Cataldi 100-31.

Recent Hall of Fame inductee Allen Hopkins, seeded #16, handed defending champion Oliver Ortmann an early defeat 100-60 and followed it with an even stronger showing versus fellow American, Bernie Pettipiece 100-18. Within that same grouping, USA’s Mike Dechaine defeated Korea’s Yu Ram Cha 100-35 and followed it with a 100-41 victory over countryman Bill Maropolous.

High run of the day honors went to USA’s Corey Deuel in a 100-54 victory over Earl Herring. Deuel had been defeated by Nick Van Den Berg 100-30 in the opening round of play and watched as Herring broke and ran 54 balls in the opening moments of their match. Deuel stepped to the table and ran 100 balls to win the match.

Other double winners in the opening rounds of play included the Netherlands’ Niels Feijen (#13), who ran 91 balls in a 100-41 victory over USA’s Danny Harriman (#4), and followed that with a 100-33 victory over Bob Maidhof. Shaun Wilkie defeated Dominic Jentsch 100-76 and turned in a commanding 100-8 performance against Dan Heidrich. Germany’s Thomas Engert (#6) opened his tournament bid with a 100-52 victory over Raj Hundal (#11). The Netherlands’ Huidji See (#3) fell to USA’s John Schmidt 100-85 before rebounding to defeat John Rousseau 100-19.

2008 Predator World 14.1 Championship Group Pairings

East Brunswick, New Jersey-  Dragon Promotions announces the official group pairings for the 2008 Predator World Straight Pool Championship. The round robin stage will be held Aug 25-27, with the field narrowed to 32 in the double elimination stage races to 150 on Aug 28, and the last sixteen playing race to 200 points on Aug 29-30.

There may be last minute changes and substitutions in the schedule and the event if a player is not able to attend.
Official Group Pairings of the 2008 Predator World 14.1 Championship. Round Robin Races to 100 Points.

Group 1

Oliver Ortmann  GER
Allen Hopkins USA
Yu Ram Cha KOR
Mike Dechaine USA
Bernie Pettipiece USA
Bob Chamberlain USA
Bill Maropolous USA
Peter Burrows USA

Group 2

Thorsten Hohmann  GER
Mike Sigel USA
Jonathan Fulcher  SCO 
Charlie Williams USA
Stevie Moore USA
Jim Gottier USA
Devon Cataldi USA
Allan Cornia USA

Group 3

Huidji See NED
John Schmidt USA 
Dominic Jentsch GER
Shaun Wilkie USA
Mark Vidal SPN
Jimmy Mendoza  USA
Dan Heidrich USA USA
David Daya USA

Group 4

Danny Harriman USA
Niels Feijen  NED
Danny Barouty USA
Gerda Hofstatter AUT
Bob Maidhof USA
Chris Lynch USA
Mark Snodgrass USA
Stefan Cohen FRA

Group 5

Martin Kempter AUT
Ralf Souquet GER
Tony Robles USA
Francisco Bustamante PHI
Vincent Facquet FRA
Dan Wallace USA
Dennis Hatch USA
Jonathan Smith USA

Group 6

Thomas Engert GER
Raj Hundal  IND
Corey Deuel USA
Nick Van Denberg NED
Sebastian Staab GER
Liz Ford USA
Tom Parisian USA
Shin Young Park KOR

Group 7

Mika Immonen FIN
Bobby Hunter USA
Konstantin Stepanov RUS
Mike Davis USA
Ed Deska USA
Mark Ritter USA
Michael Yednak USA
Bob M. Cozzolino USA

Group 8

Johnny Archer USA
Jasmin Ouschan AUT
Radoslaw Babica POL
Tony Rodriguez  USA 
Calvin Coker USA
Mohammed Hakim NED 
Steve Lipsky USA
Steve Lillis USA

Fans and players can still reserve rooms at Hilton East Brunswick at 1-732-828-2000. The room code for the event is "POL"    There are still limited amount of rooms available. Tickets can be purchased in advanced at www.dragonpromotions.com or in person at the event, or at Amsterdam Billiards in NYC or Comet Billiards in NJ.

The 2008 Predator World Straight Pool Championship is proudly sponsored by Dr.Michael Fedak of NYC, Joel Schapiro of NYC, The Predator Group, Diamond Billiard Products, Aramith Balls, and Simonis Cloth. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email, worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978.

Archer Strikes Turning Stone Gold

Johnny Archer's streak at the bi-annual Turning Stone Classic settled into a familiar pattern after his last title in February. He would go undefeated to earn the hot-seat match, then he'd have to end an upstart's impressive performance in the finals.

At the Turning Stone Classic XI. held Aug. 14-17 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, N.Y. . Archer had a new part to play. This time around, he was bounced to the left side by Dennis Hatch. But Archer started rolling on the left side. He topped seven straight opponents, including Ronnie Wiseman, Shawn Putnam and Jeremy Jones.

Archer then edged Francisco Bustamante in the left-side semifinal, 9-8, to get within one match of his fourth Turning Stone final in 24 months. Facing Raj Hundal, Archer looked to be in serious trouble. Hundal dominated early, climbing on the hill at 8-2. But Archer, with no margin for error, took the next seven racks for a 9-8 comeback victory.

Waiting in the final was Charlie Williams, who just snapped off the Lucasi Hybrid Invitational Classic 10-ball event. Williams posted back-to-back 9-6 wins over Shane Van Boening and Jeremy Jones to take a spot opposite Hundal in the hot-seat match. The Korean Dragon edged Hundal, 9-7.

In the race-to-13 final, Archer proved to be the hot hand. He extended his lead late for a 13-6 victory, his fourth win at the bi-annual Turning Stone event since August 2006.

Turning Stone Classic XI
Verona, N.Y. , Aug. 14-17

1. Johnny Archer $8,000
2. Charlie Williams $5,000
3. Raj Hundal $3,600
4. Francisco Bustamante $2,600
5. (tie) Shane Van Boening, Jeremy Jones $2,000
7. (tie) Stevie Moore, Jonathan Pinegar $1,600

Archer Successfully Defends Turning Stone Billiard Title

After four days of play against some of the toughest 9-ballers in the world and in one of the most anticipated events of the year, Johnny Archer has come through the one-loss side to win first place at the Turning Stone Classic XI, defending his title from the tenth event last February. This $25,000-added event was hosted by the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY, and boasted a full 128-player field.

They day began with the final four in the winners’ bracket fighting for the hot seat. Raj “Hitman” Hundal overcame Francisco Bustamante by a strong 9-4 score in their match and advanced to the hot seat match to play Charlie Williams, who had just sent Jeremy Jones, recent victor of the GenerationPool.com 9-Ball Championships, to the west side 9-6.

On the left side of the chart, the last four remaining were fighting to stay alive. Shane Van Boening, who took his first loss Saturday from Williams 9-6, eliminated Steve Moore 9-3 and then went on to play a newly arrived Bustamante. But Bustamante was fired up after his loss to Hundal and took control of the match against the 2007 Player of the Year, besting him 9-6.

In the lower bracket, defending champion Johnny Archer was not to be ruled out. Archer fought through the one-loss bracket all day Saturday to culminate in a 9-6 victory over Ronnie Wiseman in the last match of the evening. Sunday morning he started out with a close 9-7 defeat of Jonathan Pinegar. He kept going with his momentum, breezing through Jones 9-2 to meet up with Bustamante in the quarterfinals. This was his toughest match so far—it went double-hill, but Archer prevailed again.

The hot seat match between Williams and Hundal was a close one that ended with Williams winning 9-7, sending Hundal to the west side to face Archer. There Hundal had complete control, racing to an 8-2 lead over the former world champion. However, things took a turn for the worse for Hundal when Archer got back to the table and caught fire, running racks out from everywhere and coming back to an 8-7 score in Hundal’s favor. Faced with a kick shot on the 4, Hundal made it but scratched, and Archer had no trouble clearing the table to make it a hill-hill match. After Archer’s break, he played a billiard off the 1 into the 9 to win 9-8 and advance to the finals.

In the extended race-to-13 final match, Williams never really stood a chance. Archer, after his defeat at the hands of Hatch Saturday, was forced to make the long trudge through the one-loss side and won eight matches in a row to reach the finals. Not only was he pocketing balls on the break but he kept control of the cue ball afterward, giving him the ability to break and run out often. It was this that enabled Archer to take the final match 13-6.

Turning Stone Classic Commences

Mike Zuglan’s Turning Stone Classic XI kicked off August 14 with a stacked field of 128 billiard players all raring to go. This biannual event is held at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY, and features a $25,000-added prize purse.

Defending champion Johnny Archer is on hand, as is Mike Davis, who is fresh off his Seminole Pro Tour victory last weekend. Corey Deuel, recent winner of the Million Dollar 9-Ball Shootout, is present, as well as runner-up and 2007 Player of the Year Shane Van Boening, who bested Bucky Souvanthong 9-5.

Other threats to run away with the title include Shawn Putnam, Steve Moore, Gabe Owen, recent EnjoyPool.com 9-Ball Championships winner Jeremy Jones, Louis Ulrich, Robb Saez, Shaun Wilkie, Ronnie Wiseman, and Dennis Hatch.

The father-and-son team of Oscar and Ernesto Dominguez made it out from Los Angeles to do their part to take home the first-place prize. Traveling farther to be there, though, is Raj Hundal of the UK. Popular players Tony Chohan and “Rocket” Rodney Morris were scheduled to show but did not.

There are also a few ladies playing. Frequent Joss Tour contestant Karen Corr is participating and has already won her first match, defeating James Roberts 9-1. Local girl Tamiko Kumatori is on the one-loss side after her first-round match against Charlie Williams, against whom she did quite well before he defeated her 9-6. Julie Kelly, Liz Ford, Elizabeth Kirkman, Yu Ram Cha, and Joanne Ashton are also competing in this event.

Mika “Iceman” Immonen won his first-round match against Ray McNamara with a tight 9-7 score. Tighter still was Tony Robles’ double-hill loss to Chuck Altomare. And strong Northeast player Eddie Abraham defeated Randy Labonte in the first round, also hill-hill.

Legends and Champions Pool Tour Texas Bound

Today, Mark Cantrill (AKA T-Wheels) announced the next leg of the Legends and Champions Pool Tour.  “We have had great successes in Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oregon and Washington so far. So due to popular demand we will be taking the Pool School and exhibition tour to the Lone Star State in September, said Cantrill.

Both Johnny, Earl are as excited as ever to come to Texas. “We know there is a great pool and billiards community in Texas and we really want to be a part of it” said Strickland.

The pool schools will be limited to a maximum of 12 students per class, these 12 students will be divided into two groups of six. Each group of six will spend 2 hours with Johnny (The Scorpion) Archer and 2 hours with Earl (The Peal) Strickland. This format gives the students of all levels the one on one instruction they deserve from each of the pros. The fee for this four hour school is only $200.00 per person. If you would like to attend any of the pool schools in your area please contact Mark Cantrill at cantrillmark@yahoo.com please be sure to add your direct phone or cell number for confirmation and the location of the school you wish to attend.

There will also be Exhibitions in the evening performed by both Johnny and Earl in most locations, our exhibitions consists of Trick shots ( not the ones you see on TV), a stroke shot exhibition (something you just have to see to appreciate) fun stories from the road, a chance for spectators to pair up with either Johnny or Earl in a Scotch Doubles Challenge match (usually 8 drawings) , a race to 6 against a local house pro or champion and of course pictures and autographs with the pros to end the night. Please  look out for more information on these exhibitions.

Boening, Archer to lead US invasion of RP world 10-ball tilt

Americans Shane “The South Dakota Kid” Van Boening, two-time World 9-Ball Pool champion Johnny Archer and Charlie Williams are set to invade the Philippines in the World 10-Ball Championship from Sept. 29-Oct.5 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Van Boening, currently one of the biggest earners among pool players in the world this year, has previously ruled two Ten Ball tournaments in the US: the US Bar Table Championship and the Derby Classic Ten Ball Ring Game.

Archer, known in the international billiard circuit as The Scorpion, won the World 9-Ball Pool in 1992 and 1997. He also competed in the Philippine Pool Tour-Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup and finished 13th. The 40-year-old Archer was also the runner-up in the Mosconi Cup last year.

Williams, on the other hand, is the founder of the United States Professional Pool Players Association (UPA) Men's Pro Tour. He is dubbed as the “Korean Dragon” being born in Seoul, South Korea and worked as House Pro in the US. Joining them in the tournament proper are Corey Deuel, Robb Saez, Jeremy Jones, Gabe Owen, Charlie Bryant, Louis Ulrich, Shaun Wilkie, Stevie Moore and Oscar Dominguez.

The Philippines will also hold another major qualifying event this month, the BSCP Philippine National Pool Championship, wherein four slots for the WBTC will be at stake. The BSCP also organized the Philippine Pool Tour legs in Mandaluyong City and Puerto Princesa City, which awarded WTBC slots to the winners.

As host country, the Philippines under its governing body in billiards the BSCP and the organizing Raya Sports is entitled to six wildcard spots. Europe under its European Pocket Billiards Union has the most number of allotted slots for the WBTC with 40, followed by Asia with 30. Oceania and South America have been given four slots each while Africa has two slots.

Archer, Van Boening head US bets

A former world no. 1 player, a two-time World 9-Ball Pool champion and a Korean House Pro from the United States are the latest foreign bets set to invade the inaugural World Ten Ball Championship to be hosted by the Philippines from Sept. 29-Oct. 5 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Shane Van Boening, formerly the world’s best player and now one of the biggest earners among pool players this year, will head the American bidders in this tournament organized by Raya Sports in cooperation with the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines and sanctioned by the World Pool Association.

Johnny Archer, known in the international billiard circuit as The Scorpion, won the World 9-Ball Pool in 1992 and 1997. He saw action in the Philippine Pool Tour-Mandaluyong Mayor’s Cup and finished 13th. The 40-year-old was also the runner-up in the Mosconi Cup last year. Van Boening has previously ruled two Ten Ball tournaments in the US—the US Bar Table Championship and the Derby Classic Ten Ball Ring Game.

Charlie Williams is a Korean, who became a House Pro in billiards in the United States. He is the founder of the United States Professional Pool Players’ Association Men’s Pro Tour and was dubbed the Korean Dragon. The 11 other players from the US will be determined via the two qualifying events set by the Billiards Congress of America.

Archer, De Luna Fall; Manalo Continues His Winning Run

Unheralded Alex Nobleza scored his biggest win yet with a 9-8 victory over 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist Jeffrey "The Bull" De Luna. Former Kuwait house pro Mario Tolentino also scored a big upset as he shocked former world 9-ball champion Johnny "Scorpion" Archer of the United States, 9-7, to remain unscathed in the on-going $30,000 Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup 10-ball championship held at the Kaban ng Hiyas Building in Mandaluyong City.

These victories were the biggest upsets so far in this event presented by San Miguel Beer and featuring a $10,000 top prize to the champion and a slot for this year's World Ten Ball slated on September. The event is jointly organized by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines and Raya Sports in close cooperation with mayor Benhur Abalos, Brunswick Billiard Tables and League Cities of the Philippines.

"I was just lucky because the ball was in my favor in the end game," said Nobleza, member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who hails from Camarines Sur.

Nobleza who earlier beat James De Leon, 9-4, will square off with Kenj Taguchi of Japan in the next round, winner over Fidel Punzalan, 9-8, and John Carlo Cerna, 9-0, respectively.

Tolentino, meanwhile, who started his campaign with a 9-0 thrashing of Jestoni Magadia, 9-0, takes on Bob Flores, who beat Ken Escano, 9-6, and Michael Mengorio, 9-4, in order.

Meanwhile, 2005 WPA World Pool 3rd placer Marlon Manalo beat fellow snooker specialist James Al Ortega, 9-7, to face Gilbert Carbonera in the next round. Carbonera demolished Yong Bak Wang of Japan, 9-6 in his last match.

Ex-world 9-ball titlist Thorsten "The Hitman" Hohmann of Germany, Gerry Watson of Canada, Satoshi Kawabata of Japan and Chung Chieh-Te of Taiwan also got past their respective second round assignment to remain in the winner's side.

Archer undefeated for Swanson Memorial Win

It was a field of 181 players that started the Jay Swanson Memorial Tournament with aspiration of first place, but in the end it was Johnny Archer and Dave Hemmah who fought it out for first place.

Archer had sent Hemmah to the one loss side 8-6 in the match for the hot-seat, and Hemmah had to deal with Scott Frost on the one loss side. Frost led the match with Hemmah 5-1, before a missed 7-ball derailed Frost's game. Hemmah took complete control and won six straight games for the 7-5 win and another shot at Archer in the finals.

The final match started out close, but Archer soon distanced himself from Hemmah and scored an 11-7 win for first place and $2800 in prize money. Hemmah pocketed $1900 for second place.

Tournament organizers wanted to thank Eric Peterson for his personal contribution of $1000 to the prize fund. In addition to the money added by Hollywood Billiards, the total added money for the event was $4500.

Archer to face Frost in Tempe, Az

Johnny Archer will take on reigning Olhausen Billiards Desert All Around Champion Scott Frost as part of this exhibition scheduled for Wednesday, January 30th at 7:00 pm.

The challenge match will take place at the end Archer's scheduled exhibition at Kolby's Corner Pocket in Tempe, Az.

The challenge will be a 9-ball race to 9 with alternating breaks.

Fans are urged to arrive early to guarantee a seat.