Site News
Topic: *Industry News* 2012

WPBSA Statement - Mark Allen

The Disciplinary Committee of the WPBSA has formally considered the case of Mark Allen in relation to his comments in a press conference on Sunday 22nd April 2012 following his defeat in the Betfred.com World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. In this conference he accused his opponent Cao Yupeng of cheating and said that cheating appeared to be a trait of Chinese players. He named two other Chinese players as being known for cheating.

This follows on from a previous case where Mark was fined £1,000 and warned as to his future conduct for comments he made about China and the Chinese people on twitter.

The Disciplinary Committee found that he is in breach of the following members rules:

1.1 Members shall, at all times (i.e. whether at a Tournament or not), behave in a proper and correct manner consistent with their status as professional sportsmen. Members shall not do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any other person on the grounds of disability, their religion, race, colour or national or ethnic origin, sex or sexual orientation.

1.2 A Member shall not make or cause to be made any statement or commit or cause to be committed any act which in the reasonable view of the WPBSA is likely to bring into disrepute the games of snooker and/or billiards.

He was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 towards the cost of the hearing and was suspended from playing for a period of three months. This suspension will only come into effect if he commits any new breach of the WPBSA Members Rules that are dealt with by the WPBSA Disciplinary process in the next six months. He has also been required to undergo media training.

The WPBSA Disciplinary Committee consider that this behaviour is unacceptable and offensive to China and the Chinese players. Such behaviour will not be tolerated by the WPBSA.

CSI Lifts Ban on Phenolic Tips on Break Cues

Las Vegas, NV. - June 13, 2012 - The "2012 - 2014 Official Rules of the BCA Pool League" was released June 1, 2012, the beginning of the new BCAPL and USAPL league year. The most noted change for the newly released publication is the lifting of the restriction on the use of the phenolic tips on break cues. Below is the newly added language in the 2012-2014 edition, quoted from section 9d of the Equipment Specifications section:

"The cue tip must be composed of leather, fibrous, or pliable material."

"Note: Pending further research and review, the BCAPL has temporarily rescinded the prohibition of the use of phenolic tips for break shots. However, the restriction is subject to be re-introduction before the expiration of the 2012-2014 rulebook. League Operators and League Managers will be contacted if any further rules modifications regarding phenolic tips are made."

When the last edition of the BCAPL rule book went to press, CueSports International (CSI) adopted the ban on phenolic tips on break cues to be consistent with forthcoming World Standardized Rules. In the interim, CSI has determined that the ban is unenforceable, since neither the expertise nor the apparatus is available during pool tournaments to determine conclusively and consistently that a tip is phenolic. Also, the "phenolic" covers a wide spectrum of material. This only reinforces how difficult the rule was to consistently enforce, and further confirms the need to rescind the ban. Hence, the ban was lifted pending further review by CSI, World Pool Billiard Association (WPA), or other world bodies.

To view the entire "2012-2014 Official Rules of the BCA Pool League" visit www.playbca.com. A listing of significant content and editorial changes can be found in the beginning of the publication on pages VII - IX.

CueSports International (CSI) is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. In the past seven years CSI has directly paid out approximately Seven Million Dollars to players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the US Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial, the US Open One Pocket Championship and the US Open 10-Ball Championship. Visit www.playcsipool.com, www.playbca.com and www.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions. CSI leads the billiard industry in the development of technology. For more information on the state-of-the-art software systems for league and tournament management visit www.leaguesys.net and www.ctsondemand.com.

Pay Or Play at Tunica Southern Classic

Diamond Billiard Products is proud to announce that it will be debuting the Diamond 10 Foot Pro-Am table at the Southern Classic in Tunica, MS July 19th-28th. The headlining tournament to be featured on the tables will be the DIAMOND 10 BALL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT, which will feature 16 of best pool players in the world.

In conjunction with the headline tournament, Kamuitips.com is proud to announce that it will be the main sponsor of the PAY OR PLAY TOURNAMENTS held on the same 10 foot Diamond pool tables. These tournaments will be played in each of the five billiard disciplines of 9 Ball, 8 Ball, One Pocket, Straight Pool 14.1, and Banks, and is open to any and all players wishing to experience 10 foot tables much like the ones commonly played on in the early 19th Century. This allows players a rare opportunity to experience a Diamond 10 foot Pro-Am pool table. “Kamuitips.com is excited to be the main sponsor of the

PAY OR PLAY TOURNAMENT FORMAT for this event at the Southern Classic. We take pride in introducing this new tournament format to this part of the country, hoping it will begin a new exciting chapter to the billiard industry,” stated John Bertone of Kamui Tips.

For more information about the Kamui Pay Or Play Tournament please visit www.PayOrPlayPool.com and click on the tournament format tab on the homepage.

The Kamui Pay Or Play Tournament will be held at Harrah’s Casino in Tunica, MS from July 19th - July 28th, 2012.

To register, log onto www.PayOrPlayPool.com or call Edward Asistin @ 619-208-4115

Alex Pagulayan is Canadian 8-ball champion
by Marlon Bernardino

FORMER World 9-ball champion Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan earned yet another title with his win at the Canadian 8-ball Championships over the weekend.
The Cabagan, Isabela native Pagulayan, one of the top player of Puyat Sports toppled local bet John Morra, 11-7, in the finals to enroute the coveted crown was held at the Shooter Snooker and Sports Club in Ontario, Canada.

Pagulayan, earlier beat Mario Morra (father of John Morra), 9-5, to set up the finals against the young John Morra. Pagulayan also finished third in the US Open 10-Ball Championships last May 14 to 19 was held at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo and Francisco "Django" Bustamante completed the Filipino domination wound up first and second placers, respectively.

Double Gold Medalist Iris Ranola competes in World 9-ball without Government Support
by Marlon Bernardino

REIGNING Southeast Asian Games double gold medalist Iris Ranola has arrived in Shenyang, China to compete in the most prestigious title in women's billiards. She is joined by former World 10-ball Champion and former SEAG gold medalist Rubilen Amit. Both players have traveled to the competition without any support from the PSC and the POC and are only depending on their long time private sponsor, Philippine pool patron, Aristeo "Putch" Puyat of Puyat Sports.

The Pasay City based Ranola defeated Nicola Rossouw of Pretoria, South Africa, 7-4, at the start of Women's World 9-ball Championships on Monday.

The lack of support stems from the total disregard of Billiard Sports Confederation of the Philippines (BSCP) President Arturo Ilagan to the needs of the pool players who bring glory to our country through their various achievements around the world. After a falling out last year due to Ilagan's questionable decisions regarding the selection of the Philippine contingent for the SEA Games, the entire billiard team has been left to fend for themselves.

No budget requests were submitted nor were the players consulted about their needs for their campaign in the world circuit. Previous plans to request funding for the world championship campaigns of the Men's and Women's teams were forgotten and thrown out the window as soon as the players started questioning Ilagan's actions leading up to the SEAG.

PSC President Ritchie Garcia is keen on supporting the pool players including priority athletes such as Ranola and Dennis Orcollo who also won a gold medal in the SEAG held last December in Indonesia.

However, with Ilagan at the helm and blatantly ignoring the plight of the athletes, there is nothing that the PSC can do at the moment. The players have lodged various complaints against Ilagan and the other members of the Billiard Sports Confederation of the Philippines are in the process of finding a solution. Ilagan is acting of his own accord and behind the backs of other members of the board. He is keeping information from the other members and is trying to run his own show.

The Philippines is also fielding a group of players to the World Team Championships to be held in Beijing China at the end of June and only the help of Puyat and Billiard patron Perry Mariano of Bugsy Promotions is making it possible for the players to compete.

Apart from this event, The men will also compete in the World 9-ball Championship in Doha, Qatar in two weeks' time and again, all the players needed to find their own private sponsors to fund their trip. Meanwhile, the snooker team, who are in Ilagan's good graces have been able to fly to several 'training' trips abroad in the past year.

STARS RISE, A BIG STAR FALLS AT WOMEN'S WORLD 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

DEFENDING CHAMP BI, KELLY AND ALLISON FISHER THROUGH TO LAST 32 WHILE LEGEND PAN CRASHES OUT.

By Ted Lerner

(Shenyang, China)--With short races to 7 racks, the world’s best pool talent on hand, and the pressure of a world title at stake, pool fans have come to expect plenty of upsets in the opening stages of world championships.

But for Chinese 9-ball fans, Monday produced one of the biggest downers imaginable as China’s wildly popular Pan Xiaoting lost twice on the very first day of the 2012 Women’s World 9-ball Championship and was sent packing from the 64 player field.

Pan’s lightning quick exit took a mere few hours. Trailed by paparazzi and adoring, camera toting fans, the petite and likeable Pan was first up on the TV table inside the swanky Richgate Shopping Center here in Shenyang in northeastern China. Things looked to be going well for the superstar, as she racked up a 6-3 advantage over Indonesia’s Angeline Ticoalu.

But then the 27 year old from Jakarta, playing on the biggest stage of her career, got her game on and soon tied the match at 6-6. In the final rack, Ticoalu played two marvelous safeties that forced Pan into giving up the table, allowing the upstart Indonesian to take the match, and leave local fans in stunned silence.

Ticoalu could barely believe what she had just done but Pan had no time to rue what went wrong. First round losers had to play straight away and this time Pan never had a chance as she went down easily on the upstairs table, losing to Singapore’s Charlene Chai Zeet, 7-4.

Always trailed by awestruck fans and photographers, Pan, who is known as China’s Queen of 9-ball, revealed afterwards that she has been suffering from terrible neck pain for over a month due to a misaligned spine. The injury and constant visits to the doctor have eaten into her practice time and make competing at a high level difficult. But always the polite competitor, Pan put on a brave face.

“There are many other tournaments to play,” she said, hiding her disappointment.

Chinese fans don’t have to look far for heroes to follow, though, as the field in this year’s Championship is top heavy with Chinese players—33 of the 64 in fact—and many happen to be some of the best in the world.

Chinese fans and media go gaga over pretty and demur winners, thus the boyish and tiny defending champion, Bi Zhu Qing, seems to attract almost no attention. The shopping mall is festooned with hundreds of colorful posters featuring the biggest names in Chinese women’s pool, along with plenty of foreign stars. But Bi(pronounced Bee), clearly doesn’t fit the model for popularity here and is conspicuously missing from the marketing materials.

Bi, though, is a marvelous talent who plays without a care in the world. She looked in great form today as she won both her matches and advanced to the round of 32 knockout stage which begins Tuesday afternoon.

World number 1, 18 year old Chen Siming, who could be China’s most talented player, handily won her first two matches today and also advanced, as did World number 4 Han Yu and world number 5, Fu Xiao Fang. Other Chinese names to look out for in the coming days are Bai Ge, and Han Fang who advanced by sending former US Open Champion Ga Young Kim to the losers side.

There’s a few foreigners on hand here in Shenyang who are clearly aching to upset the proverbial apple cart and none more so than the Fishers, Allison and Kelly. Both are veterans of the Chinese tournament circuit, are surely stars here, and both have come close to winning tournaments China but always fallen short. And last year both Fishers crashed out early in this Championship.

On day one this year, however, things have gone much better for the British duo. Kelly Fisher cruised through to the final 32 with two wins, including a 7-2 thrashing of America’s lone entry in this year’s event, Monica Webb.

Allison Fisher showed she’s more than ready to cash in this year with a terrific comeback win over 2010 World 9-ball Champion Liu Sha Sha. Liu was up 5-3 before Fisher took the next three. Fisher gave away the 12th frame only to break and run the final rack for a nervy 7-6 win and a place in the final 32.

The Philippines two bets had mixed fortunes today. Both Rubilen Amit and Iris Ranola won their first matches. Ranola lost her second match, while Amit won a hill-hill nailbiter against Junko Tsuchiya of Japan. Korea’s Park Eun Ji, a fine talent who has a knack for pulling out victories, won 7 – 6 over China’s very capable Zhou Doudou to advance to the final 32.

Day one saw 16 players eliminated from the event, while 16 players made it through to the final 32. Tuesday will see the field whittled down to the final 32 by lunch, and the final 16 by evening time.

The semi-finals and finals will take place on Thursday June 21. The winner will receive $40,000 while the runner up gets a check worth $20,000. The total prize fund is $160,000. In keeping with the Chinese love of glamor in their women's sports, organizers are offering a $2000 prize for the "Most Stylish Player."

The WPA will be providing full coverage of all the action from the 2012 Women’s World 9-ball Championship in Shenyang on our website, www.wpapool.com. There you can get all the latest updates with live scoring of all matches, articles offering insights and analysis, updated brackets and photos. Fans around the world can also follow the tournament via the WPA Twitter feed, @poolwpa.



RESULTS FROM DAY 1

First Round Group Stage
Race to 7 Alternate Break

Group A
Bi Zhu-Qing(CHN) 7 - 0 Hyun, Ji-Won(KOR)
Liu, Yichen(CHN) 7 – 4 Wei, Tzu-Chien(TPE)
Jing, Siya(CHN) 7 – 3 Cheung, Pui Man Ellen(HKG)
Chen, Xue(CHN) 7 – 2 Li Jia(CHN)

Group B
Ge Bai(CHN) 7 – 5 Cha Yu Ram(KOR)
Ren, Qiuyue(CHN) 7 – 6 Chan, Ya-Ting(TPE)
Han Fang(CHN) 7 – 2 Xiong, Shi Yan(CHN)
Kim, Ga-Young(KOR) 7 – 3 Masami Nouchi(JPN)

Group C
Iris Ranola(PHI) 7 – 4 Nacola Rossouw(RSA)
Han Yu(CHN) 7 – 4 Yukawa Keiko(JPN)
Tan, Ho-Yun(TPE) 7 – 5 Huey, Charlene Chai Zeet(SIN)
Angeline Ticoalu(INA) 7 – 6 Pan Xiaoting(CHN)

Group D
Lin Yuan Chun (TPE) 7 – 0 Marika Poikkijoki(FIN)
Kyoko Sone(JPN) 7 – 5 Ana Mazhirina(RUS)
Jung Bo Ra(KOR) 7 – 4 Sylvia Lopez(ESP)
Chou Chieh-Yu(TPE) 7 – 0 Barbara Bollelli(ITA)

Group E
Kelly Fisher(GBR) 7 – 1 Caroline Roos(SWE)
Monica Webb(USA) 7 – 4 Sylvia Gaudino(ITA)
Junko Tsuchiya(JPN) 7 – 5 Natalia Seroshtan(RUS)
Rubelin Amit(PHI) 7 – 6 Wu Zhiting(CHN)


Group F
Fu Xiao Fang(CHN) 7 – 5 Line Kjorsvik(NOR))
Lin, Hsiao-Chi(TPE) 7 – 1 Cheung, Pui Sze(HKG)
Zhou Doudou(CHN) 7 – 3 Kaori Ebi(JPN
Park Eun Ji(KOR) 7 – 2 Gernailys Zimmerman(AHO)



Group G
Allison Fisher(GBR) 7 – 0 Yang, Fan
Tsai, Pei Chen(TPE) 7 – 4 Sandra Baumgartner(AUT)
Liu Sha Sha(CHN) 7 – 5 Gao Meng(CHN)
Lai Hui Shan(TPE) 7 – 4 Akimi Kajatani(JPN)

Group H
Chen Siming (CHN) 7 – 2 Zheng Xiaochun(CHN)
Wu Jing(CHN) 7 – 1 Liu Jia(CHN)
Liu Shin Mei(TPE) 7 – 3 Chichiro Kawahara(JPN)
Liu Liying(CHN) 7 – 2 Jasmin Michel(GER)



Day 1. Session 2. Losers side.
(Loser is out of the tournament.)

Group A
Li Jia(CHN) 7 – 3 Cheung, Pui Man Ellen(HKG)
Wei Tzu-Chien(TPE) 7 – 5 Hyun Ji Won(KOR)

Group B
Chan Ya-Ting(TPE) 7 – 4 Cha Yu Ram(KOR)
Nouchi, Masami(JPN) 7 – 6 Xiong Shi Yan(CHN)

Group C
Keiko Yukawa(JPN) 7 – 2 Nacola Rossouw(RSA)
Charlene Chai Zeet(SIN) 7 – 4 Pan Xiao Ting(CHN)

Group D
Marika Poikkijoki(FIN) 7 – 2 Ana Mazhirina(RUS)
Sylvia Lopez(ESP) 7 – 0 Barbara Bollelli(ITA)

Group E
Caroline Roos(SWE) 7 – 5 Sylvia Gaudino(ITA)
Wu Zhiting(CHN) 7 – 4 Nataliya Seroshtan(RUS)

Group F
Kaori Ebi(JPN) 7 – 1 Gernailys Zimmerman(AHO)
Line Kjorsvik(NOR) 7 – 3 Cheung Pui Sze(HKG)

Group G
Akimi Kajatani(JPN) 7 – 3 Sandra Baumgartner(AUT)
Gao Meng(CHN) 7 – 0 Yang Fan(CHN)

Group H
Chichiro Kawahara(JPN) 7 – 4 Liu Jia(CHN)
Zheng, Xiaochun(CHN) 7 – 2 Jasmin Michel(GER)

Day 1, Session 3. Winners Bracket
Winner is through to last 32, loser goes to losers side of bracket

Group A
Bi Zhu-Qing(CHN) 7 – 4 Liu Yichen(CHN)
Chen, Xue(CHN) 7 – 3 Jing Siya(CHN)

Group B
Han Fang(CHN) 7 – 4 Kim Ga Young(KOR)
Ge Bai(CHN) 7 – 6 Ren, Qiuyue(CHN)

Group C
Yu Han(CHN) 7 – 1 Iris Ranola(PHI)
Tan Ho-Yun(TPE) 7 – 0 Angeline Ticoalu(INA)

Group D
Lin Yuan Chun(CHN) 7 – 6 Sone Kyoko(JPN)
Chou Chieh Yu(TPE) 7 – 5 Jung Bo Ra(KOR)

Group E
Kelly Fisher(GBR) 7 – 2 Monica Webb(USA)
Rubilen Amit(PHI) 7 – 6 Junko Tsuchiya(JPN)

Group F
Park Eun Ji(KOR) 7 – 6 Zhou Doudou(CHN)
Fu Xiao Fang(CHN) 7 – 1 Lin Hsiao-Chi(TPE)

Group G
Lai Hui Shan(TPE) 7 – 3 Tsai Pei Chen(TPE)
Allison Fisher(GBR) 7 – 6 Liu Sha Sha(CHN)

Group H
Chen Siming(CHN) 7 – 1 Liu Liying(CHN)
Wu Jing(CHN) 7 – 5 Liu Shin Mei(CHN)

RANOLA JOINED AMIT IN WORLD 9-BALL KO STAGE
by Marlon Bernardino

REIGNING Southeast Asian Games double gold medallist Iris Ranola of the Philippines remained on track for a first world title after cruising into the Last 32 of the
2012 World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) Women’s World 9-Ball Open Championship Tuesday in Shenyang, China.

The Pasay City-based Ranola registered a 2-1 win-loss slate in the single round eliminations in group stage, which is composed of eight players.

Ranola whipped Charlene Chai Zeet Huey of Singapore, 7-6, in a do-or-die match in Group C. “ Charlene is a strong player but I played better in the end game,” said Ranola, a Philippine Sportswriters Association awardee.

”I am targeting a spot in the top 16,” said Ranola, a former National Open womens champion who hails from Zamboanga City.

She beat Nicola Rossouw of Pretoria, South Africa, 7-4, but fell to Yu Han of China, 7-1, in the following round.

Earlier, compatriot and former Women’s World 10-ball champion Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit already advance to the knockout stage. The Cebuana pride Amit scored back-to-back wins against Wu Zhiting of China and Junko Tsuchiya of Japan with a similar 7-6 rack score in Group E.

Philippine Billiards God Father Aristeo “Putch” Puyat bankrolled Ranola and Amit China campaign. "We have a very good chance of winning the Women's World 9-ball crown," said sportsman/businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.

The winner will receive $40,000 while the runner up gets a check worth $20,000. The total prize fund is $160,000. In keeping with the Chinese love of glamor in their women's sports, organizers are offering a $2,000 prize for the "Most Stylish Player."

the SBE, Super Billiards Expo, is moving (again) to New Jersey, USA...link below:
http://www.jimboarmy.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6912


-----------------
P. T. Barnum was right !
www.internationalcuemakers.com
www.jimboarmy.com
www.explorerforum.com

Ranola, Amit crashes out of Women's World 9-ball in China
by Marlon Bernardino

REIGNING Southeast Asian Games double gold medalist Iris Ranola and former Women's World 10-ball champion Rubilen Amit, both bowed out of contention in the knock-out stage of the 2012 World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) Women’s World 9-Ball Open Championship Wednesday in Shenyang, China.

The Zamboanga native Ranola lost to Allison Fisher of Great Britain, 9-6, while the Cebuana ace Amit was yielded to Chichiro Kawahara of Japan, 9-2, in the Round-of-32.

Fisher continued her winning run after dumping Monica Webb of the United States, 9-7, but bowed to Tan, Ho-Yun of Chinese-Taipei, 9-8, in the following round.

Kawahara Cinderella run's, meantime was halted by Siming Chen of China, 9-0. Chen goes up against countryman Fu, Xiao-Fang in the next round of this $160,000 total pot prize tournament which offers $40,000 to the champion.

Meanwhile, Ranola and Amit will joined compatriots Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo to carrying the country's color for the World Team Championships in Beijing, China at the end of June.

The Filipino cue artists oversees campaign is supported by Philippine Billiards God Father Aristeo “Putch” Puyat of Puyat Sports and sportsman/businessman Ceferino "Perry" Mariano of Bugsy Promotions.

LET'S GET THE PARTY STARTED!

It's the big weekend of Euro football at Rileys.

Join us for the knock out stages of Euro 2012 with England taking on Italy on Sunday evening (K.O 7.45pm.)

Now we've made it out of the group stages, it's time to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, maybe time to take things a little easier? Maybe time to treat yourself to a VIP match experience at Rileys Sports Bars?

We've got some very special VIP deals on offer during the Euros, from just £5, including reserved seating, full waitress service and deals on the tables and at the bar.

VIP tickets are limited, so if you fancy getting you and your mates together for Sunday night's match, then get in touch with us to reserve your place.

Come on England!

Regards,
The Rileys Team

Brilliant Bingham Wins Asian PTC

Stuart Bingham made a superb start to the season by winning Guotai Liqueur Asian Players Tour Championship event one in Zhangjiagang, China.

World No 16 Bingham beat Stephen Lee 4-3 in an exciting final to take the £10,000 top prize in the new event. He won five matches in the tournament overall.

There are three new Asian PTC events this season, which form part of the overall PTC series. By winning the first event, Bingham already is assured of a place in the Grand Finals next March.

The 35-year-old from Basildon took the opening frame with a break of 51 before Wiltshire's Lee won the next two. Bingham levelled with a 67 then Lee, who won the PTC Grand Finals last season, went 3-2 up with a run of 87.

Bingham knocked in a 63 to force the decider, then won a thrilling last frame by clearing blue, pink and black for victory.

It has been a sensational start to the season for Bingham as he also won the Pink Ribbon pro-am in Gloucester earlier this month. He won his breakthrough major title at last season's Australian Goldfields Open and now seems determined to boost his haul of trophies. The tour stays in China for the first full ranking event of the season, the Wuxi Classic, which starts on Monday, then it's on to Australia where Bingham will be defending the title.

"Last year I started the season well then fell away, but this time I want to keep the form going," he said. "I came out here for the three events just aiming to win one of them, and I've got a trophy already so anything else is a bonus. I'm full of conficence now and I want to do well in the next two events.

"It's great to already have a place guaranteed in the PTC Grand Finals because I missed it last year. But I'll probably still play in all the other PTC events because I'm the type to go anywhere and play in anything."

Earlier, Bingham beat Michael White 4-2 in the semi-finals with top breaks of 74, 78 and 117, while Lee saw off China's Chen Zhe 4-2 with a top run of 100.

Results (last 16 onwards)

Last 16
Ben Woollaston 4-2 Cao Kaisheng
Li Yuan 1-4 Zhang Anda
Stuart Bingham 4-0 Lin Shuai
Chen Zhe 4-3 Tom Ford
Mark Williams 1-4 Michael White
Robert Milkins 3-4 Ding Junhui
Stephen Lee 4-3 Zhao Xintong
Tian Pengfei 4-1 Mei Xiwen

Quarter-finals
Michael White 4-3 Zhang Anda
Stuart Bingham 4-3 Ding Junhui
Stephen Lee 4-2 Tian Pengfei
Chen Zhe 4-0 Ben Woollaston

Semi-finals
Michael White 2-4 Stuart Bingham
Chen Zhe 2-4 Stephen Lee

Final
Stuart Bingham 4-3 Stephen Lee

EPBF Board Member relieved off his duties

Board decided to dismiss Marcin Krzeminski

Thursday, 21 June 2012: The Board of the European pocket Billiard Federation has decided to dismiss its member Marcin Krzeminski from the Board.

The reasons for that action were long known and communicated to Mr. Krzeminski more than once in the past without any appearance of betterment. The other Board Members have completely lost their trust in Mr. Krzeminski. Finally, the Board was offering a meeting where Mr. Krzeminski chose to stay away from. That meeting was held during the recent European Championships in Luxembourg. At that meeting, the decision to stop the cooperation with Mr. Krzeminski in the Board of the EPBF was taken unanimously by all Board members present. “Decisions like that are never easy but unfortunately sometimes unavoidable”, commented the President of the EPBF, Mr. Gre Leenders. “Marcin was a long time Board Member and we had some problems in the recent history. Especially his role in the newly founded ‘EBC’ needed further explanation which he was not able or willing to deliver. Furthermore, he did not oblige to the guidelines that we as the Board gave him concerning his role in the WPA as a Board Member. He acted counterproductive to our common directives and decided to make his own decisions, not regarding the EPBF’s needs. Sadly enough, he was not communicative to us the way we felt it was necessary. He did not perceive his actions to be at fault so we had no chance but to dismiss him from his office. There was no trust left for us to have him remain on the Board of Directors.”

Mr. Krzeminski called the EPBF’s Court of Appeal and protested against this decision but his request was refused. At the next General Assembly of the EPBF, it will be up to the delegates from all member nations to confirm the decision that the Board has taken. According to the EPBF Board, Mr. Krzeminski should now also be removed from his positions within the WPA and the WCBS since he is not representing Europe any longer.

2012 WORLD 9-BALL IN QATAR: REYES, BUSTAMANTE, ORCOLLO, ALCANO, CORTEZA IN GOOD START
by Marlon Bernardino

FILIPINO billiards master Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, Ronato "Volcano" Alcano and Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza won their opening matches to lead the charge of the Pinoy favorites of the 2012 World 9-ball Championship at the beautiful Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha, Qatar on Monday.

Reyes beat Phillip Stajanovic of Croatia, 9-3, in Group 1; Bustamante waylaid Lo Li-wen of China, 9-7, in Group 9; Orcollo trounced Ali Saeed Alsuwaidi of UAE, 9-6, in Group 15, Alcano nipped Toh Lian Han of Singapore in Group 13 and Corteza subdued Ivica Putnik of Coatia, 9-0, in Group 14.

Other notable cue artists who also won their firts round matches are Ramil Gallego who beat Sundee Gulati of UAE, 9-6, in Group 2; Jundel Mazon dealt Chris Melling of Great Britain, 9-7, in Group 3; Carlo Biado blasted Rajandra Nair of India, 9-1, in Group 4; Roberto Gomez whacked Takht Zarekani of UAE, 9-6, in Group 10 and Antonio Gabica clobbered Andrea Klasovic of Croatia, 9-4.

Meanwhile, Elvis Calasang stay alive in the loser's side by whipping Kuo Yi Pe of Chinese-Taipei, 9-8, as well Joven Alba prevailed over Henrique Correia of Portugal, 9-4, and Israel Rota smashed Lee Wan Su of Korea, 9-4.

Oliver Medenilla was booted out in this tournament after losing to Lo Li-wen, 9-3, in the loser's side while Raymond Faraon and Joven Alba still kicking.

A total of 128 of the best pool players from over 50 countries, who are vying for $300,000 in prize money, with $40,000 going to the eventual winner.

Juanjo Trilles Challenge, Marxuquera (Spain)

Watch the 3-Cushion World Champion (D!ck Jaspers) versus the World number one ranked player (Frédéric Caudron) LIVE on Kozoom in a unique 600 points Challenge match that only the best player can win. Watch the trailer The Live video coverage will start on Wed, Jun 27th at 11AM, Spain time (CEST). If you don't have your Premium Pass yet, you can register here.

GARCIA BEATS MEDINA; TOPS HERMES 10-BALL; POCKETS P100,000
by Marlon Bernardino

ROGEL S. GARCIA defeated Dr. Robin V. Medina, 7-4, to rule the recently concluded 2012 Hermes 10-Ball Cup last June 22 at the Hermes Sports Bar in Hollywood Square Building in West Avenue, Quezon City.

It was a sweet revenge for Garcia who lost to Medina, 7-6, in their first encounter last month.

Thus, Garcia went home the top prize of P100,000 while Medina settled for the runner-up's purse of P60,000 in the Hermes 10-Ball Cup, which is backed up by Tarsiers Corp., Malungai Life Oil, Association of Club, Karaoke and Disco Owners and B-League Corp.

Meanwhile, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) founding head and Bugsy Promotions top honcho Ceferino "Perry" Mariano settled for third and received the achievement award. Mariano, long-time benefactor of World Champion Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, received P40,000 for settling third place.

'Bata' et al advance in World 9-Ball Championships in Qatar; Orcollo in a must win situation
by Marlon Bernardino

HALL OF FAMER Efren “Bata” Reyes and several other Filipino cue masters scored emphatic victories over their respective opponents to advance to the knockout stage of the 2012 World 9-ball Championship at the beautiful Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday.

Reyes, known as “The Magician” in the pool circuit, outplayed Al Awadi Bader of Kuwait 9-2.

“I get lucky,” he said with his toothless grin. “He’s a good player but the break is against him, he never get a shot. Me I always get a shot after the break.”

With the win, Reyes, one of the top player of Philippine God Father Aristeo "Putch" Puyat barged into the knockout stage of the competition after two consecutive wins.

Following his steps were fellow Filipinos Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza, Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica, Carlo "The Black Tiger" Biado and Roberto "Superman" Gomez.

Bustamante toppled Al Yousuf Abdullah of UAE, 9-4, Corteza beat countryman Marlon Caneda, 9-5. Alcano edged Hunter Lombardi of the USA, 9-8, Gabica waylaid Dennis Grabe of Estonia, 9-7, Biado whacked Roman Hybler of Czech Republic, 9-3, and Gomez outplayed Mohammed Saeed of Qatar , 9-1.

However, Dennis Orcollo, Ramil Gallego, Raymund Faraon , Joyme Vicente and Jundel Mazon was relegated to the loser's side joining Caneda, Elvis Calasang, Joven Alba and Israel Rota.

Orcollo was beaten by Andrew Kong of Hongkong, 9-5, Gallego was lost to Tony Drago of Malta, 9-6, Faraon bowed to Johnny Martinez of Venezuela, 9-8, Vicente dropped his match against John Morra of Canada, 9-8, and Mazon was yielded to Vincent Facquet of France, 9-5.

"Masyadong pressure si Dennis (Orcollo). Ang daming Filipinong nag che cheer sa kanya sa Qatar. Lahat nakatutok sa kanya." said Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) founding head and Busgy Promotions top honcho Ceferino "Perry" Mariano, long-time manager of Orcollo. "Ang masakit sila pa ni Raymond (Faraon) sa do-or-die match. Isa na namang Filipino ang malalagas," added Mariano.

"Mas malaki ang t'sansa natin ngayong maiuuwi ang World 9-ball crown sa Pilipinas dahil marami tayong player na nakapasok sa KO stage. Saka iilan-ilan lamang ang nagkatapat sa draw," said Philippine God Father Aristeo "Putch" Puyat.

All Filipinos in a must win situation to advance in the Last 64.

Orcollo goes up against compatriot Faraon, Vicente opposite Hudiji See of the Netherlands, Gallego takes on Hsu Kai Lun of Chinese-Taipei, Mazon versus Shane Van Boening of the United States, Calasang will square off with Al Amar Abdul Rahman of Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, Caneda will meet Ceri Worts of New Zealand, Alba will face Alba Nayf Abdel Afou of Jordan and Rota versus David Anderson of Republic of South Africa.

Oliver Medenilla is the first Filipino casualty.

A total of 128 of the best pool players from over 50 countries, who are vying for $300,000 in prize money, with $40,000 going to the eventual winner.

Polish Opinion Marcin Krzeminski and EPBF/IBP

PZBil/112/W/2012 Kielce, 24.06 2012 r

Mr. Gre Leendres

We have received Your information referring to the fact You have removed Marcin Krzeminski from EPBF board. It is nicely written, unfortunately it contains untrue information. I know You need to have strong asset for good introduction on WPA meeting.

General remark.

The Federation can be built only on good program & cooperation basis or on fear ground. You prefer the second option – with fear and sanctions! In the received document You are treating everyone with collapse of Europe. This is so unreal and untrue. None wants to spoil or ruin the European billiard.

1. Marcin Krzemiński organized 6 times – EC and more than 55 tournaments in cooperation with EPBF, with EPBF emblem. He is the author of the projects like e.g. „ Helping Hand” project, ” EPBF Player of the Year” and “Bridge to the Career”. Now, he turned to an enemy because he raises many issues concerning the financial aspects or contracts, so You have decided to attack him personally. In this conflict he is not just one private person, he is the representative of Polish Billiard Association in EPBF. As a Federation we have full right to expect information from You about Your plans toward Marcin. Unfortunately You are not replying to any of my letters or emails regarding this issue. You have forbidden the board members to contact their national federations. While Marcin was absent You have removed him from EPBF and sent the motion to remove him from WPA (to replace him with Anamaria Matesić ). You informed him about it one month after this had happened, while Polish Billiard Association received NO information. This is absolutely against to all democratic rules – the more it is –as none of the EPBF decisions is given to public information.

2. You wrote that Poland, Ukraine, Russia and Estonia made a protest. Did You forget about Bulgaria? The protest from this country was sent on 8th May 2012

"Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 12:12 PM
Subject: Letter in support of the PBA

|To the EPBF Board
|
| Dear EPBF Board members,
| The Bulgarian Billiards Federation does not agree with the dismissal of Marcin Krzeminski from the EPBF board and with actions which belittle his work for the development of pool billiards in Europe. With this taken into > consideration we support the protest of the Polish Billiards Association and we join the request for the EPBF Board to reconsider its decision.
|
| Ivan Kamenarski
| Bulgarian Billiard Federation
| Chairman
| Web site: www.billiards.bg
| e-mail: bbf@billiards.bg"

3. Why did we send the information to all Europe Federations? Because You are neither replying to our letters/emails nor informing anyone about receiving such inconvenient ones, Same as it was with protests from Heads of the national teams – valued associates from the Netherlands, Austria or Norway.

We have also received information that Anamaria Matesic traveled to Romania and Bulgaria to discuss how ‘ bad’ Mr Krzeminski is.

4. Indeed – we do have problem in Europe but this problem is not named European Billiard Council www.ebc-billiard.com. The problem is conflict of interest , business conflict between IBP –( the company that belongs to you and David Morris - v-ce president of EPBF) and EPBF. You try to cover this subject searching for an enemy, to drag attention in improper direction.

You want to remove Marcin Krzeminski from EPBF and WPA, because he has created EBC. You are fully aware this is untrue. EBC has decided to gather as one board of 6 national federations. Independent federations decided to cooperate. Marcin Krzemiński did not vote on behalf of Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Estonia or Bulgaria. He is not even member of Polish Billiard Association – he is the Honorary President of it, at the same time – experienced person –from this international experience we want to gain.

5. From the moment the idea of EBC appeared – You started attacking.

We work in Europe, every year European Union invests millions of Euro into projects which support international, regional cooperation – while You, David and Anamaria have some other idea, which ruins the regional cooperation, partnership.

EPBF should support such ideas, unfortunately we cannot count on it. You have written: “During this meeting ( meeting with EBC), I clearly stated that working out a solution that would allow a cooperation between regional initiatives and the EPBF within Europe was definitely within the realm of the possibilities”. Till today no one had any idea about it. As for now – your only decision about cooperation was your motion about removing the leader of EBC from EPBF and WPA. Was that this solution for better cooperation?

6. EPBF has two ambassadors in WPA – Marcin and David. You gave them written disposal forbidding both oral or written contact with the President of WPA and other board members. Your advanced permission for the contact required. Can You imagine that the Polish Billiard Association does not give Marcin permission to talk to you or other EPBF board members without my prior approval? This is antidemocratic -
paranoiac situation.

They are both members of WPA and they are supposed to work on the international development of billiard sport. Their work – in first place is evaluated by the President of WPA. We motion you ask him for opinion. We have very positive feedback from Mr Anderson regarding Marcin’s work & achievements. This attitude is supported by a few national federations, while you – without approval from other EPBF members (national federations) want to replace him with Anamaria Matesić. What does the President of Croatian Federation think about it – according to my knowledge he was never asked for his opinion?

Currently we have gathered 45 players, disabled, from 4 countries. They participate in EBC & PZBil event. A few of the players were afraid to come, because they were afraid of being disqualified by EPBF. This is very sad that even this group – for which EPBF has no program – is scared and afraid.

Polish Billiard Association is open for discussion about the future of European billiard and changes in EPBF which are a must. In our motion from 26th April we applied to announce special General Assembly of EPBF and we have provided our list of issues which need to be raised in our opinion. We hope that this type of meeting will take place.

President
Polish Billiard Association
Grzegorz Kędzierski

World Snooker Statement

Following recent conjecture about the World Snooker Players Contract, we would like to make clear that the contract has been put in place in order to protect the interests of the game of snooker for the benefit of the players, broadcasters, sponsors, promoters and most importantly the fans.

Much like those in Golf and Tennis, the contract lays out to the players what is expected of them as professional sportsmen.

98 of the 99 professional tour players have signed the contract.

Under the terms of the contract, players can choose which events they would like to take part in. However, players may be penalised if they enter events and withdraw from them without a valid reason. This is mirrored across all sports.

World Snooker allows for wild cards in certain events outside of the UK in order to give local players opportunity and experience in world class events and to develop talent in important markets. Wild cards are only available to amateur players from the host country or region, and they are selected in conjunction with World Snooker, the WPBSA, the National Governing Body and the Promoter of the event.

Worldstraightpool.com 2012 Re-Launch!! Official Site of the Predator World Tournament of 14.1 : Women's Only Qualifier!

News Flash! Women ONLY. The first Ladies World 14.1 Qualifier for the Predator 72nd World Tournament of 14.1 ! JULY 14th Saturday. Hosted by Amsterdam Billiards Club in NYC . Top 2 lady finishers gets free entry and spot into the main event against the absolute best 14.1ers on Earth. Best wishes ladies in the qualifier and later against the men. The World will be watching!

ORCOLLO, FIVE OTHERS FILIPINO ADVANCE TO KO STAGE IN WORLD 9-BALL
by Marlon Bernardino

FORMER World Champion Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo led five others to the knockout stage of 2012 World 9-ball Championship at the beautiful Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha, Qatar Wednesday.

Orcollo , top player of Bugsy Promotions top honcho Perry Mariano didn't waste no time to beat compatriot Raymund Faraon to registered 9-2 victory in Group 15 in their do-or-die match in the loser's side.

" Suwerte lamang kasi laging pabor y'ung bola. Saka sinabi ko din kay Boss Perry (Mariano) na kailangan makauna agad tayo kasi magaling din talaga si Raymund (Faraon), " said Orcollo, a former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur.

Orcollo earlier suffered a heart-breaking loses to Andrew Kong of Hongkong, 9-5, last Tuesday that relegated him to the loser's side. "Medyo nakahinga na tayo kasi nakapasok na sa knock-out stage si Dennis (Orcollo). Hope mahawakan niya ang momentum," added Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) founding head and Busgy Promotions top honcho Ceferino "Perry" Mariano who finished 3rd place in the 2012 Hermes 10-Ball Cup last June 22 at the Hermes Sports Bar in Hollywood Square Building in West Avenue, Quezon City with Rogel S. Garcia and Dr. Robin V. Medina dominated the top two spot respectively.

Jundel Mazon also won his match to Shane Van Boening of the USA in Group 3, Marlon Caneda blasted Ceri Worts of New Zealand, 9-3, in Group 14, Joven Alba dealt Afou Nayf Abdel of Jordan as well Israel Rota nipped David Anderson of Republic of South Africa, 9-7, in Group 16 and Elvis Calasang crushed Al Amar Abdul Rahman of Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, 9-7, in Group 11.

Newest Filipino Casualty is Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego who yielded to Hsu Kai-lun of Chinese-Taipei, 9-7, in Group 2 , Joyme Vicente suffered a 9-8 sorry lost to Huidji See of the Netherlands in Group 1. Oliver Medenilla is the first Filipino casualty.

Last Tuesday, hall of famer Efren "Bata" Reyes kasama sina Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza, Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica, Carlo "The Black Tiger" Biado and Roberto "Superman" Gomez already booked their seat in the KO stage.A total of 128 of the best pool players from over 50 countries, who are vying for $300,000 in prize money, with $40,000 going to the eventual winner.