• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of P1 million in prizes are at stake at the 1st Vice Gov. Jeffrey Padilla Ferrer Cup 10 Ball Open, which kicked off yesterday at the SM Atrium in Bacolod City.
Vice Gov. Ferrer disclosed that they recorded 131 participants from all over the country, including Filipino world billiard champions.
The champion will get P400,000 in guaranteed prize, P150,000 for the runner up, P75,000 each for third and 4th runners up, with P35,000 each from 5th to 8th place, and P20,000 each for 9th to 16th place, he added.
Among the top billiards players who have registered to join are Johann Chua, Jeffrey Ignacio, Rodrigo Geronimo, Michael Feliciano, Anton Raga, Jundel Mazon, AJ Manas, Jerico Bañares, Jonas Magpantay and James Aranas
Ferrer said that the five day billiard tournament will end on February 17, with the awarding ceremony.
Prizes are not taken from government funds, but come from private individuals, he stressed.
The tournament aimed at giving billiard players and enthusiasts in Negros Occidental a chance to showcase their talents and skills, by competing against Filipino players who are world champions, Ferrer said.
He added that the tournament is still open for walk-in participants until Tuesday.
Local officials and actors have informed him that they are interested in joining the tournament, the vice governor further said.
If it is successful, we may conduct another billiards tournament, Ferrer added.
Ferrer also thanked Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, businessman Jerry Sy, Jonathan Sy, Mark Jalandoni, Negros Occidental Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, Carlo Jimenez, among others, for their support to the billiard tournament.*
