Filipino Perspective on this:
The reputaton for Filipinos gambling is a fact of life here for Filipino players. The pros do it because it's the only way to make a real living.
The big money matches here are backed by a manager who gets you into a match with another manager. Handicaps are discussed (spotting an extra ball etc.), a player then receives a percentage of the take for the win. That's when times are good.
There's money to be made even if you're not winning, though the take isn't high though. Six Years ago, I saw Ronnie Alcano act as referee for a match with Efren Reyes because times were tough for him. He receives a small % of whatever winnings for acting as a ball racker.
Imagine what kind of development he could have had if there was a tournament he could've joined then.
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Before this Philippine Championships, players were ranked solely on the basis of their street cred - the only true tier ranking anyone in billiards knows about in the Philippines. The top player in the money games currently is Dennis Orcollo.
It's ironic that even with his reputation, he still hasn't won a major local tournament. I think mainly because there aren't that many, and he's often abroad for the others. (He's won 4 out of 7 in one stretch in the US if I remember)
On the other side of the spectrum, Marlon Manalo doesn't play money games. But he's a successful tournament player. Street-cred wise in the Philippines, he's suspect however.
Another player of note is Gandy Valle. His street cred isn't that great, rated a notch below Alcano, Orcollo and others of their caliber. But in tournaments, he puts it up a notch. His gold medal win in the Asian Games. San Miguel Tour win. Winning second place in the Philippine National Championships beating some of the best names in pool.
I think there's a growing distinction between tournament players and gambling players here. Although, the cases I've shown are the exceptions to the rule - I'm pretty sure you'll see players of different types in the future.
Anyways, I'm not taking any sides. A majority of players in the Philippines still make their living through gambling. If there were as many tourneys as the US, it might fuel the debate here further though.
The reputaton for Filipinos gambling is a fact of life here for Filipino players. The pros do it because it's the only way to make a real living.
The big money matches here are backed by a manager who gets you into a match with another manager. Handicaps are discussed (spotting an extra ball etc.), a player then receives a percentage of the take for the win. That's when times are good.
There's money to be made even if you're not winning, though the take isn't high though. Six Years ago, I saw Ronnie Alcano act as referee for a match with Efren Reyes because times were tough for him. He receives a small % of whatever winnings for acting as a ball racker.
Imagine what kind of development he could have had if there was a tournament he could've joined then.
***********
Before this Philippine Championships, players were ranked solely on the basis of their street cred - the only true tier ranking anyone in billiards knows about in the Philippines. The top player in the money games currently is Dennis Orcollo.
It's ironic that even with his reputation, he still hasn't won a major local tournament. I think mainly because there aren't that many, and he's often abroad for the others. (He's won 4 out of 7 in one stretch in the US if I remember)
On the other side of the spectrum, Marlon Manalo doesn't play money games. But he's a successful tournament player. Street-cred wise in the Philippines, he's suspect however.
Another player of note is Gandy Valle. His street cred isn't that great, rated a notch below Alcano, Orcollo and others of their caliber. But in tournaments, he puts it up a notch. His gold medal win in the Asian Games. San Miguel Tour win. Winning second place in the Philippine National Championships beating some of the best names in pool.
I think there's a growing distinction between tournament players and gambling players here. Although, the cases I've shown are the exceptions to the rule - I'm pretty sure you'll see players of different types in the future.
Anyways, I'm not taking any sides. A majority of players in the Philippines still make their living through gambling. If there were as many tourneys as the US, it might fuel the debate here further though.
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