Ronel Nalaunan of Kalibo, Aklan, romped off with P350,000 in cash to win the 2nd Mayor Albee Benitez 10-ball billiard tournament, besting 122 others in the 5-day elimination round that ended at SM City Bacolod Thursday, October 13.
Nalaunan faced off in the race to 9 final game against Bonnie Pentacasi of Bohol with a score of 9-7, leaving Pentacasi holding the runner-up bag with P100,000 in cash prize.
In the Best of 4 elimination round, Nalaunan beat Edwin Gamas of Pasig City while Pentacasi eliminated Meynard Tipawan of Bago City.
Gamas and Tipawan went home with P50,000 in cash prize after coming in 3rd places.
Councilor Pao Sy awarded the winners of this year’s billiard tournament.
Earlier in the afternoon, a huge crowd came to witness the epic exhibition match between Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez against billiard champ, Efren “Bata” Reyes which the latter won.*
Both then paired with each other to play doubles against another big name in the billiards world, Django Bustamante who played with Councilor Vladimir Gonzales. Bustamante and Gonzales won the doubles game.