DAVAO City’s Bangkok Asian Games gold medalist Gandy “Yang-Yang” Sapsal-Valle will clash against world boxing champion Manny Pacquaio in the opener of the Motolite Philippine 9-Ball Open at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in Para?aque City on Monday, October 25.
Diminutive charmer Sapsal, who is bent on making a comeback in competitive billiards after a four-year hiatus, said he won’t take Paquiao lightly.
“Pacquiao’s skills could not be underestimated. He can sweep balls. Upsets can happen anytime with the winner’s break format,” Sapsal said in the vernacular.
Sapsal, seeded 11 in the cuefest, added one error can cost him the match.
He said, “We can never be certain of our chances.”
But he, along with veteran internationalists top-seed Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego, Marlon Manalo, Ronnie Alcano, Warren Kiamco, Antonio “Nickoy” Lining, Dennis Orcullo and Leonardo “Dodong Dadiangas” Andam will try to survive hostilities for the P500,000 top prize.
The 64-man tournament will end on October 29. It will be aired over organizer Solar Sports starting at 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The runner-up will take P200,000 while the losing semi-finalists will get P100,000 each. The losing quarter-finalists will receive P25,000 each while the Round of 16 losers with P10,000 each and the Round of 32 goners with P5,000 each. (MLS)
