Mazon, Salazar earn China Open berths
REIGNING Guinness World Series Champion Jundel Mazon and up-and-coming John Salazar advanced to the main draw of the China Open after hurdling separate foes yesterday in the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) qualification tournament at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City.
The China Open will be held from June 6 to 12 at the Shanghai Pudong Yuanshen Stadium in Shanghai, China.
The two Pinoys are playing under the banner of sportsman/businessman Jonathan Sy of the star-studded Negros Billiards Stable (NBS).
Mazon defeated RJ Bautista, 11-5, in the quarter-final round then toppled Cedric Gonzales, 11-2 in the semifinals before edging 2010 Reno WPA World Juniors fifth placer Jonas Magpantay, 11-7 to dominate the BSCP Qualification Tournament 2.
Salazar, meantime bested 2008 Reno WPA World Juniors silver medallist Jericho Banares, 9-6, and 2007 Manila WPA World 9-ball finalist Roberto Gomez, 9-5 to top Qualification Tournament 1.
Other cue masters who saw action were 2011 Manila WPA World Ten Ball semifinalist Carlo Biado, 2011 Bacolod POC-PSC 9-ball national games gold medallist Jeffrey de Luna, SEA Games gold medallist Warren Kiamco, Jech-Jech Limen and Joven Bustamante among others.
The event is supervised by BSCP executive vice president Edgar Acaba and Sol Gueco under the leadership of BSCP president Sebastian Chua and BSCP chairman Florentino “Yen” Makabenta. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino
