Lourence Ilagan,Dixie Ybanez out in Philippine Qualifier to World Darts Championship

The top 32 Final Elimination of the Philippine Qualifier to World Darts Championship started yesterday at Ambassador Hotel in Manila. The top 8 from different locations all over the Philippines met yesterday as they played round robin enroute to final selection today. Among the top 16 who emerged from last night's round robin round were : (in no particular order)
1. Jun Espional (Cagayan de Oro "The One")
2. Enlindo "JunJun" Bayawa Jr. (Zamboanga del Norte)
3. Henry Rivera (Cagayan de Oro "Fundador")
4. Bert Lozano (Cagayan de Oro "Fundador")
5. Nathaniel "Nats" Guba (Iligan City)
6. Andy Villamor (Butuan City)
7. Ian Perez (Koronadal City)
8. Arvy Briones (Baguio City)
9. Ding Sumolong (Pasig City)

10. Boy Gionzon (Navotas City)
11.. Boie Parfan (Makati City)
12. Jaypee De Tablan (Taytay,Rizal)
13. Mon Oliveros (Makati City)
14. Ricky Mijares (Quezon City)
15. Chris Salinas (Makati City)
16. Robert Calupit (Bullshooter)

I had the chance to visit the venue this afternoon before the elimination started and had a quick chitchat with my hometown neighbor darter, Henry "Kiko" Rivera. It was from hin that I learned that Dixie Ybanez and Lourence Ilagan (top 2 in my recent poll) were no longer in the top 16.


The games started at around 1pm and I had the chance to see the first matches for the top 16 round robin. Great to highlight was the game of Boie Parfan who scored T,T80,T80,51 (11-darter) during his first game against Ian Perez who eventually bowed to him at a score of 3-2. It's also worth mentioning that my neighbor, Henry Rivera, crushed Ding Sumulong at a score of 3-0 (the only 3-0 score in the first top 16 round robin matches).

Philippine Qualifier to the 2011 World Darts Championship

It's been a while since I last posted an article here in my site. It's been also a while since I last played darts as I'm currently into running and biking. But my love of darts has always been there. NDFP's forum is a must visit each time I surf the net. I miss my darter friends although I've been seeing them lately to chat and play some good darts. And as expected, I bowed to them in the dart matches. It's always fun to play with them again after a long break from darts. It's also from them that I get to hear news about darting in the Philippines. Just last week, I was told that a big event will be staged in Manila as part of the Philippine Qualifier to 2011 World Darts Championship. And this time around, the dormant DCP (Darts Council of the Philippines) is running the show. Well, I really did not understand why at first until I saw the article posted at ndfpdarts.com. I won't tackle that in this entry but I would love to write about it pretty soon.
Going back to the topic, the selection process is really quite different this time around. The qualifying event will start with four regional qualifiers - Manila,Olongapo City, Cebu City, and Cagayan de Oro City. Top 8 from 4 qualifying legs (top 32) will advance into the National Finals which will be staged at NU Grille,Ambassador Hotel,Mabini St.,Manila. The regional qualifying legs should give a better chance to those who are in the province to participate in the selection process. I just hope, though,that DCP will be able to pull this through considering that didn't stage any national/regional events for quite some time now. It would even be challenging for them as NDFP with partnership of Solar Sports has set the standards on how a qualifying event or any darts tournament for that matter should be run. The challenge for them (DCP) is to stage a fair and smooth selection process as the darts world will be watching them closely. I hope that darters, DCP and NDFP alike, will come out and participate this event. May the BEST pinoy darter win and represent our beloved Philippines to the 2011 World Darts Championship. Good Luck mga DARTERONG PINOY!!!

Click here for tournament details.

Perez bowed to Thornton (3-1)

Perez' dream was halted by Robert Thornton in a rather great game at the Ally Pally today. Perez was impressive in the first set firing several T40's and T00's until Thornton found his mark and started putting pressure on Perez. Perez, being his first time in the Ally Pally, was feeling the pressure as his darts can't find its target. The match could have ended differently should Perez took out D8 to give him a 2-1 lead. Thornton, who was also strugling on the double, made sure he'd take out D4 for the advantage. The last set saw Ian a bit down but still managed to pull out a leg over the world ranked number 16 Robert Thornton. The match ended at 3 sets to 1 for Thorton.

Ian Perez has nothing to be ashamed of. His feat was yet another first in the Philippine darts history. Some more international exposure and Philippines will surely have a World Darts Champion! We're getting there..Slowly but surely! Congrats Ian Perez! Mabuhay ang Darterong Pinoy!

Perez beats Per Laursen

Christian Perez showed his great form to beat the veteran player Per Laursen of Denmark 4 legs to 3 in the best of 7 preliminary round of 2010 World Darts Championship. It was a great performance of Perez who averaged 94.53 and a perfect checkout rate (6/6). Perez hit two 180's, eight 140's, and four 100's and sealed the deciding game with a 12-darter to face Robert Thornton in round 1. The world once again was shocked in the way Perez devastated the highly favored veteran. Let us keep our fingers crossed and hope that Perez can handle Thornton to secure himself a second round slot.

Ian Perez faces Per Laursen in the Preliminary Round of the 2010 World Darts Championship

The preliminary round draw has already been made and Christian "Ian" Perez is set to face a formidable opponent in the person of Per Laursen from Denmark. Laursen is not new to the PDC World Championship as he has represented Denmark for 3 consecutive years since 2007. In 2007, he came past the first round at the expense of Colin Monk (3-0) but eventually dispatched by Dennis "The Menace" Priestley in the second round. His last two outings in the PDC World Championship were not so brilliant as he only reached the first round losing to Alan Tabern and Wes Newton in 2008 and 2009 respectively. But make no mistake about his darting skills as he has had some success in tournaments in his home country. His resume is a proof that it will not be a walk in the park for Ian Perez in the prelims. Perez should be bringing out the best in his arsenal early on to thump Per Laursen en route to the next round.

Preliminary Round Draw (Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship)

Per Laursen (Denmark) v Christian Perez (Philippines)
Ken MacNeil (Canada) v Norman Madhoo (Guyana)
Jarkko Komula (Finland) v Roman Konchikov (Russia)
Haruki Muramatsu (Japan) v Kryzsztof Kcuik (Poland)
Tomas Seyler (Germany) v Chinese Qualifier
Magnus Caris (Sweden) v Francisco Ruiz (Spain)
Aodhagan O'Neill (Ireland) v Les Francis (South Africa)
Phillip Hazel (New Zealand) v Osmann Kijamet (Slovenia)

Having fun with Darts

Sharing a video from youtube. Enjoy!

Shanghai International Darts Open - John Part Vs Ian Perez II

A 15-darter from Ian Perez (Robson Player & NDFP's #2). 100-100-100-140-61

Pinoy Darters Top Korean Open

Ronald "Arvy" Briones once again proved that he's among the top Asian darters as he emerged Champion in Korean Open Singles last October 25,2009. An event which was sanctioned by World Darts Federation (WDF) - Category 4. This is his second title this year after winning the French Open last month.
Lourence Ilagan bowed to Arvy in the finals to grab the runner up while Mon Sabalboro and Karl Hartman placed third.

Day 2- Shanghai International Darts Open 2009

Today is still sees a great showing from the Philippines squad as the top 3 posts were held by Boie Parfan, Lourence Ilagan, and Arvy Briones respectively.

Early results : Arvy Briones was defeated by a fellow Filipino Ian Perez 7-5. Robert Reyes was beaten by Robert Heckman of USA. Ian Perez will take on Garry Mawson, Lourence "The Gunner" Ilagan will be facing Robert " The Dragon" Heckman of USA and Boie Parfan will have to hurdle John "Darth Maple" Part. Good luck to our Filipino darters!!! Your accomplishment, so far, is a true testament Pinoy Darters' talents are World Class. International exposures such as this will surely build their confidence and gain more experience. Again, GOOD LUCK Darterong Pinoys! Show the World what you've got!

Darterong Pinoy 2009

The annual Darterong Pinoy tournament has already been set to happen on November 6-8,2009 at Sta. Lucia Mall,Cainta, Rizal as confirmed by Mr. Tito Soncuya in one of his posts in NFDP's forum. This P100k free-registration tournament is one of the many ranking events organized by NDFP (National Darts Federation of the Philippines). NDFP is the most active darting organization in the Philippines today staging big tourneys all over the archipelago. Darterong pinoys can only be thankful that NDFP is here to save Philippine darts.

Click here for NDFP's official tournament announcement.

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

A long way to the Oche

Little did the world know that dart has been so active here in our beautiful island Philippines. We may have sent pinoy darters to other parts of the world on several occasions but it was just lately when the darting world was thunderstruck by the talent of pinoys as far as darts is concerned. Many would argue that the world has already took notice of our talent in darts several years ago during the time of the late Freddie Deen. Indeed, Freddie Deen’s achievements were huge in itself. More so that he held the title of being the first Asian to sign contract with Unicorn as one their signature players. No doubt, the late Freedie Deen is an institution in Philippines darts, I have high respects for what he has done and his contribution to Philippine Darts. In fact, the way I see it, he was the one who paved the way to other pinoy darters to partake and excel in darts internationally. There are other names who most pinoy darters can recall whenever someone speaks about international tournaments. The likes of Mon Sabalboro, Boie Parfan, Ding Sumulong, Ricky Villanueva, Estoy Densing, Dixie Ybanez, Gale Santos, Joseph Domanais, and many others who mostly dominate the Asian circuit. But it was just recently, after Ilagan’s successful stint in Winmau World Master’s that we have caught the world’s attention. They have started to be intrigued on how deep the talent is in our archipelago. This for sure, inspired every pinoy darter to strive hard and spend more time at the oche. As I have said in my other posts, it will be in no time that the world will see a Filipino darts world champion. What they see now is just the tip of the iceberg. Sooner or later, more pinoy dart heroes will surface and the world will be more astonished. Come to think of it, Lourence Ilagan does not always win in our local competition. While he is DCP’s (Darts Council of the Philippines) # 1 (I’m assuming he is because of his recent achievements. Although the last time I checked, DCP’s # 1 is Arby Briones), NDFP (National Dart Federation of the Philippines) has Boie Parfan as top in their list. This is not to discount Ilagan’s skills and achievements but rather to point out there are still several pinoy darters who can put up a show against Lourence or any internationally ranked darter anytime anywhere. I am a BIG fan of Lourence Ilagan but I have seen him being pounded and had his fair share of upsets in several occasions. Take for example last year’s Manny Pacquiao’s 2M cup, Ricky Santiago of Cavite crushed Lourence in the elimination round denying him the opportunity to bag the biggest purse ever in Philippines Darts history. Point in case, there are quite a lot of pinoy darters whose talents are at par with international counterparts. This claim, I know, is debatable since I don’t have a database of their averages but I tell you, their darts really speak English! What they need are sponsors! Lourence Ilagan wouldn’t have made it to the Winmau World Masters if it was not because of Monster darts. Unless this big rock is hurdled, pinoy darters’ talents will just be for our eyes to see!