Manila - Filipino teenage sensation Bernie Regalario defeated World No. 1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain, 5-4, in the biggest upset of Day 1 of the Premier League Pool (9-ball) at the US 1 Billiards in West Haven, Connecticut, United States on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old Regalario, one of the star players of Marboys Billiards Club, earlier lost to two-time World 9-Ball Champion Albin Ouschan of Austria, 2-5, but came back, edging former World Champion and US Open Champion Joshua Filler of Germany, 5-3, on Monday before beating Ruiz.
Regalario, the reigning 2nd Chinese Taipei Open 9-ball pool championship runner-up, will meet 2023 US Open champion Ko Ping Chung of Chinese Taipei, 23-year-old Wiktor Zielinski of Poland, and two-time World Cup of Pool Champion Mario He of Austria on Day 2 on Wednesday.
Regalario was accompanied to the US by Marboys Billiards Club CEO and president JR Velasco, who has been supporting the careers of young Filipino pool players. Velasco joined forces with Marvin Paringit to support Regalario's trip to the USA.
"I worked so hard to get ready for this game, and I am confident I can perform well," said Regalario, a new member of the national team.
The Premier League Pool has a total prize fund of $100,000, with the champion getting the lion's share of $20,000. The runner-up will pocket $12,500, while the losing semifinalists get $8,000 each. - Marlon Bernardino.
Photo: Filipino teenage sensation Bernie Regalario and Marboys Billiards Club CEO and president JR Velasco.
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