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.