John Part wins Shanghai International Darts Open 2009

The three-time World Champion, John "Darth Maple" Part, once again showed the world what he is made of as he emerged as the men's Champion in the recently concluded Shanghai Open. He was responsible for the lone loss, in the round robin phase, of NDFP's # 1 Celso "Boie" Parfan. Part landed # 10 in the last 64 while the top two posts were occupied by our Filipino darters. John Part faced Christian "Ian" Perez (NDFP's #2) in the Championship dispatching the latter at a score of 10-4. Perez dispatched Lourence "The Gunner" Ilagan securing a shot at the Championship against John Part. As for Ian Perez, facing the 3-time World Champion is a BIG achievement in itself. Finishing second to Part is a feat that we can be so proud of! The same goes to the rest of the Darterong Pinoys who competed in the said event, you guys truly made us proud. For sure, by now, darters and sponsors alike noticed your talents... David "The Scorpion" Fatum, in his blog, mentioned that the Philippines will be the "next power house in darts to come".
Congratulations, Ian Perez and the rest of the Philippine contigent ( Boie Parfan, Lourence Ilagan, Robert Reyes, Arvy Briones, Mon Sabalborro)!!!

Shanghai International Darts Open - Day 1 Highlights

I will try to bring you the Day 1 highlights in Shanghai International Open as relayed by a source from the venue. Day 1 is a bang for the Philippine contingent where two of our darters settled in the top 2 seeds. Celso "Boie" Parfan, the number 1 of National Darts Federation, is on top of the list in the last 64 while NDFP's number 2 Christian "Ian" Perez comfortably settled in top 2. Boie Parfan has the highest score in the round robin,earning 34 wins to 1 loss. David "the Scorpion" Fatum of the USA was one of his victims in the score of 5 to 0. Ian Perez who got 29 wins with 6 losses has Warren Perry of New Zealand on his list at a score of 3-2. While Roland "Arvy" Briones,Lourence Ilagan,Robert Calupit, and Ramon Sabalborro also tallied decent scores enough to secure slots in the last 64.

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World Darts Championship

It is sad to think that we might not have a representative to the renowned World Darts Championship this year. The president of NDFP, Mr. Tito Soncuya, himself revealed in its site's forum that PDC has not yet sent an invitation (via Solar Sports) for a wildcard entry from our country. He further explained that for the past two years, they received the said invation as early as May or June. Even the PDC website does not indicate if Philippines will be given a wild card representative. NDFP's website does not also contain information as to whether a national elimination will be held as they are not sure yet if we will be granted an entry this year.
A sad news indeed. But I am still hoping that we will be given another chance in that pretigious tournament moreso that some of our local talents are now slowly recognized in the international darting scene. The invitation should come out now so NDFP can still hold a national elimination to give all aspiring darters equal chance. This is one of the major events which most Pinoy Darters are looking forward to.
Should there be a qualifying event this year, I would like to see Lourence Ilagan, Arvy Briones, Boie Parfan, and Boy Gionzon in the last four to engage in a battle for the lone World Darts Championship wildcard.

Pinoy Darters are rocking the WORLD!

Just as how the tropical storm "Ketsana" devastated most part of Metro Manila Philippines, another Pinoy darter in the person of Ronald "Arvy" Briones wrecked havoc at the French Open grabbing the Championship title from Jean Pierre Leeuwrik of the Netherlands at a score of 5 sets to 3. Yet another feat that we Pinoys should be truly proud of. Ronald Briones or "Arvy" to his darting friends is one of the Philippines' top darters. Aside from hitting a nine darter in Malaysian Open, he has won several local and international tournaments under his belt but this recent achievement in French Open should be the highlight of his dart credentials. I am no Nostradamus but I guess the predictions in my previous posts are now happening. This may not yet be a world title but I can now feel that we are getting closer to having one. If only sponsors and international managers will visit the Philippines and scout for potential darters, we would now have a Wold Champ. Perhaps visiting the Manny Pacquiao P5 Million International Darts Classic this November is a good chance to spot prospects (just a teaser....more info in my next post).

Congratulations Ronald "Arvy" Briones! Thank you for making us proud!

French Open 2009 Top 8 :

1 RONALD BRIONES PHILIPPINES

2 JEAN PIERRE LEEUWRIK NETHERLAND

3 JERRY HENDRIKS NETHERLAND

3 GRAHAM JUDGE ENGLAND

5 PAUL GODBEER ENGLAND

5 MARTIN GOODIN FRANCE

5 TREVOR PERRY ENGLAND

5 CYRIL BLOT FRANCE