PINOY BILLIARDS STARS SHINE IN FOREIGN TILT
(Reprinted with permission from The Philippine Journal)

Taiwan, Nov. 6, 1997 - Ramil Gallego, known in the local pool circuit as Bebeng Bacolod, won the 7th Asian 9-Ball Championship in Hua-lien, Taiwan, last Sunday.

Gallego defeated Lee Kun-fong of Taiwan, 9-6, in the finals to win the $2,500 first prize and the right to represent Asia in the World Pool Association (WPA) 9-ball championship next year.

His victory, coming on the heels of the triumph of Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Jose "Amang" Parica of AMF-Puat in the Camel Pro Billiards Series in the United States, gives the Philippines its third international championship trophy in a span of three weeks.

Efren Majan, another entry of the Philippine Cue Artists Association placed third in the tournament participated in by the best players of Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Gallego and Majam are among the fresh batch of Filipino Pool pros presently campaigning in the Asian circuit with the goal of eventually joining Efren "Bata" Reyes and others in the major leagues in the U.S. and elsewhere.