Money in the Philippines

[Sputnik]

Yessir, first price was $65,000 UDS - in a hardly thriving country, the Philippines in the 1st Philippine Open. It served as a statement that we can handle big money tournaments here; and as a prelude to having next year's WPC here.

It is the best move Puyat Sports can do now because the sport, the region, and the country is ripe for it. The Philippines is very ideal to have players come over. There is life outside of the tournament premises, golf galore, the tropical sun, and most of all, local pool players who can put up with the international guests - both pros and tourists. Your currency will go a long way here.

For the Pros, tournaments here will be going through the eye of a needle. We all saw how local unknowns knocked out biggies in the early stages. And that gives a distinction to the tournaments here in Manila.

Also, if Puyat Sports did not flex its muscles, others would have entered the picture. It is really high time Puyat turned his national treasures into revenue makers for the country. Congratulations to Putch Puyat. Now we are happy.

With the success of the 1st Philippine Open, and the way politicians hug the limelight here, it is certain that future tournaments will have Government Tourism support. Manila will be ready for you.

 

[Joseph Cues]

And since ESPN Asia and probably Sky TV in Europe air the matches, it's a good proposition.

 

[locki]

yep, its a very good thing that puyat sports held the first philippine open...all pool visitors definitely enjoy their visit here, in all aspects.

 

[Buckster_uk]

Wasn't it $20,000? Its still a good prize!

 

[Buckster_uk]

Wasn't it $20,000? Its still a good prize!

 

[hiko]

Wasn't it $20,000? Its still a good prize!

i believe it's 20,000$ also; the 65,000$ afaik is the total amount of prize money...

...still, i'd say it's one of the best tourneys held this year

 

[buddha162]

I think he meant total purse, not just first place.

Roger

 

[ibarra]

Aside from the respectable prize money, one thing that must be noted is the TV coverage.

From day 1 of the tournament there was live coverage!
Six hours of daily coverage for 4 days.

On the last day of competition, broadcast begun at 4pm and ended near 11pm. That's almost 7 hours of LIVE TV! From the semis through the finals. UNINTERRUPTED! Of course there were a few commercial breaks, 90 second spots which came at a frequency of about every 3 racks. But during the finals, the last 5 racks were uninterrupted.

Too bad that there was no early announcement that the same live coverage can be watched in parts of the US, Europe and the Middle East. Yes, you guys out there may have had the chance to witness the same matches.

The broadcast was also aired SIMULTANEOUSLY via the Filipino Channel- a cable channel. So if you are a cable subscriber in the US or Europe or Middle East and your cable provider carries the Filipino Channel then you could have watched the same matches - IN REAL TIME.

Infact, during the coverage, the anchorman kept of mentioning the text messages he was receiving from Filipinos overseas. That they too were having the thrill of their lives watching the matches.

Isn't it that what of us yearn for is a decent amount of TV airtime for pool? Well, they got it here in the Philippines.

And this is just the 1st Edition!

 

[locki]

hehehe, first edition, and i think they got it absolutely spot on!

 

[dmgwalsh]

Too bad that there was no early announcement that the same live coverage can be watched in parts of the US, Europe and the Middle East. Yes, you guys out there may have had the chance to witness the same matches.

The broadcast was also aired SIMULTANEOUSLY via the Filipino Channel- a cable channel. So if you are a cable subscriber in the US or Europe or Middle East and your cable provider carries the Filipino Channel then you could have watched the same matches - IN REAL TIME.

Infact, during the coverage, the anchorman kept of mentioning the text messages he was receiving from Filipinos overseas. That they too were having the thrill of their lives watching the matches.

Isn't it that what of us yearn for is a decent amount of TV airtime for pool? Well, they got it here in the Philippines.

And this is just the 1st Edition!

Is that station offered by direct tv? Dennis