1st QC 10-Ball Open layong makadiskubre ng bagong pool legends — Mayor Joy Belmonte

PANGUNGUNAHAN ng pamahalaang lokal ng Quezon City ang paghahanap ng susunod na Efren “Bata” Reyes at billiards hero sa gitna ng panahong ito ng pandemya.

May kabuuang 64 players ang magbabakbakan sa 1st Quezon City 10-Ball Open na gaganapin sa 21-27 Hunyo sa Hard Times Sports Bar.

Sinabi ni Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, layon ng torneo na makatuklas ng bagong grupo ng Filipino cue artists na kakatawan at magbibigay ng karangalan sa bansa sa iba’t ibang international meets, tulad ng ginawa dati nina Reyes at Co.

Binigyang-diin ni Belmonte ang long-standing relationship sa pagitan ng billiards at ng mga Pinoy, na itinuring ang sport bilang bahagi ng kanilang kultura gaya ng basketball.

“So much so that were able to produce some of the sports’ Hall of Famers and legends, from Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante, to Ronnie Alcano and Dennis Orcollo, and so much more reputable names in the industry,” sabi ng lady mayor.

“They have given our country an identity and have represented us throughout numerous championships internationally.”

Ipatutupad ang estriktong health and safety protocols sa pagdaraos ng torneo na ila-live stream ng Sharks sa www.facebook.com/sharks9ball at www.youtube.com/Sharks9Ball mula alas-2 ng hapon.

Naniniwala ang Quezon City mayor, sa pagtatapos ng torneo ay makatutuklas sila ng potential talent.

“Our goal with this auspicious event is to flick our searchlights to uncover raw pool artists, and to place Quezon City on the map as the billiards capital of the Philippines, and hopefully, of the world,” ani Belmonte.

“With the amount of pride that the sport and our talents have given our nation, my support for billiards and especially our players, never ceases.”

Pinasalamatan din ni Belmonte ang Billiard Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) sa patuloy na pagdaraos ng mga torneo sa bansa kahit sa panahong ito ng pandemya, gayondin ang lahat ng kalahok sa pagpapakita ng kanilang walang sawang suporta at pagmamahal sa sport.

“It is with your determination that we are able to team up and create a healthy culture of competition in our community,” ani Belmonte.

“Lastly, than you everyone for your steadfast support from all over the world. It is my deepest desire that Quezon City 10-Ball Open will not just bring joy and entertainment, but also dignity and honor to us all.”