How 'bout them Filipinos!

mikepage

mikepage

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
How many world-class players can an island country of a hundred million produce? Apparently, a lot.
Visionary efforts of Sharks Billiard League are beginning to make that clear as they've hosted the first international pool event in the Phiippines in a decade, There now are 31 Filipino players amongst the world's top 100.

Special note of Michael Feliciano (790), who had a great tournament losing in the finals to Taiwanese phenom Ko Ping Chung (826). We also note Oliver Villafuerte (824), rated amongst the most elite despite -so far as we know--not competing outside of southeast Asia. And fast-rising Kyle Amoroto (811), who we believe turns 21 this summer.
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I would be interested to know how much local economy contributes to this island of killers. What I mean is, how many of those guys do nothing but play pool all day long? I remember one Efren interview where he states he knew from an early age that he could make more money playing pool that at any other job.

Do the majority of these 800+ players support themselves/families by staying in constant action? Are there any that work a 9 to 5 and then go to the pool hall? If all these guys are relying on staying in action and winning more than they lose, no wonder they are the best in the world! You don't win, you don't eat!
 
My boy LVC starting to slip a little it seems. Sure havent seen him in much competition lately either... them 40's are a killa, ask me how I know, ha
 
Nice to see Francisco Bustamante, still playing to a high level.
Wasn't there a thread a while back, about which country had the highest level players.
I think this thread, answers that question!! I like the fact a lot of these guys. We have never heard of!!!
 
jokrswylde said:
I would be interested to know how much local economy contributes to this island of killers. What I mean is, how many of those guys do nothing but play pool all day long? I remember one Efren interview where he states he knew from an early age that he could make more money playing pool that at any other job.

Do the majority of these 800+ players support themselves/families by staying in constant action? Are there any that work a 9 to 5 and then go to the pool hall? If all these guys are relying on staying in action and winning more than they lose, no wonder they are the best in the world! You don't win, you don't eat!
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They're fulltime players.
They play pool like truck drivers drive.
A lot.
 
I think i read that somewhere's Effrin made $2m in his career. That roughly turns out to be about 109 billion in the Phillpines. Not sure about the cost of living in that country, But i'm sure he's living okay.
 
Zerksies said:
I think i read that somewhere's Effrin made $2m in his career. That roughly turns out to be about 109 billion in the Phillpines. Not sure about the cost of living in that country, But i'm sure he's living okay.
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1.09 billion pesos, you mean.
Efren did not take home anywhere close.to that.
 
jokrswylde said:
I would be interested to know how much local economy contributes to this island of killers. What I mean is, how many of those guys do nothing but play pool all day long? I remember one Efren interview where he states he knew from an early age that he could make more money playing pool that at any other job.

Do the majority of these 800+ players support themselves/families by staying in constant action? Are there any that work a 9 to 5 and then go to the pool hall? If all these guys are relying on staying in action and winning more than they lose, no wonder they are the best in the world! You don't win, you don't eat!
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(You don't win, you don't eat!)
Funny years ago a well known Philippine player and I were just talking and He said the difference between you and I he said, and I quote You miss you lose you go home I miss and lose I no eat then he laughed
 
King T said:
Efren has done well. The exchange rate of dollars to pesos is (52to1) so that $3,000 that he just won is $156,000K, that goes a long way in the Philippines and he's been unbeatable and making US dollars for many years!
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P156,000.does not go a long way in the Philippines.
Inflation has been really bad there.
After expenses, Efren is not left a lot.
I just spent 3 weeks there.
Efren is still playing P20,000-P30,000 sets almost daily . It's still worth his time..
$1 is P55+. Not P52.
 
Zerksies said:
One good player learns from another. Your only going to be as good as your competition is. You have a town full of 400 fargo players your probably not going to get an 800 out of that town. No matter how much natural talent you have.
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Fish tank theory...excellence breeds excellence.
 
If you miss and you don't eat, it gives you a great reason to remember your mistakes and improve, if you love the game/competition.
 
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