Sharks Billiard League

to showcase more world class billiard tournaments with new venue at Tomas Morato

TWO years after the launch of the only billiards’ league in the country, Sharks Billiard League (Sharks) launches its second arena hoping to usher in a new wind for both the sport and its players.

The Sharks Great White Arena located in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, is the League’s biggest milestone yet and is envisioned to be a venue for more local and international tournaments. Sharks’ first arena, The Tiger Arena, is also located in Quezon City.

Sharks provides billiards enthusiasts with a platform where they can watch daily tournaments among local and international billiard players. It hosts three events per day in each arena for professional and amateur nine-ball and 10-Ball players. With its second arena, Sharks is able to host an additional three events per day, including the upcoming Sharks International 9-ball Open. All these will be live streamed for free through the Sharks official website. Very soon, billiard enthusiasts can also watch the said tournaments live at the Sharks’ Arenas.

“We continue to support the billiards industry by holding these tournaments for local and international talents, in efforts to bring back the passion the Philippines has for billiards. With two arenas in Quezon City, and an upcoming one in Manila, we hope to make the Sharks League a nationwide, and further, a worldwide phenomenon,” Sharks’ President, Sol Khan said.

“It was an honor and privilege to compete at the new Sharks Arena. The setup is second to none and the playing conditions are very professional,” internationally acclaimed and multiawarded Canadian pool player, John Morra, who played a game against one of Sharks’ rising star and Valenzuela pride, Marc Ejay Cunanan during the arena opening. World champion for eight-ball and nine-ball pool, Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, also commended Sharks’ efforts to host worldclass tournaments in the Philippines.

“Sharks has one of the most difficult competitions worldwide and competing here can really improve a player’s skills. Personally, I would love to come back to improve my game, especially the kick shot and safety,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz is currently in the country and is playing head-to-head with local legends, Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo and Anton “The Dragon” Raga exclusively livestreamed on Sharks’ official channels.

Aside from Cunanan, Orcollo and Raga, Sharks also conducts tournaments featuring other renowned local billiard players such as Southeast Asian nine-ball and international tournament medalists Johann Chua and Rubilen Amit.

Another remarkable attribute of Morado is its high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins are the natural compounds responsible for the purple color of Morado. Studies have shown that anthocyanins possess antioxidant properties, offering numerous health benefits. These include reducing inflammation and preventive potential against cancer. Research also suggests that anthocyanins may be beneficial to the gut, which can contribute to overall improvement of health. Morado’s anthocyanin content makes it an appealing choice for health-conscious consumers.

Levi Llaneta, a farmer from Albay who planted Morado shared, "Morado is very easy to sell in the market. Our buyers always look for Morado because it’s sweet, sticky, and has health benefits."

Mike Paragozo, a farmer from Agusan del Sur, also attests to Morado’s potential to increase income. He shared that the market value of Morado commands a premium, with prices ranging from P50 to P80 per kilo, compared to other corn varieties.

From Mike’s experience, customers are willing to purchase Morado, regardless of size

Moreover, because of its unique purple color, farms planted with Morado have the potential to attract tourists, offering an additional income opportunity for farmers. Mike is establishing Morado as a trademark in his farm in Agusan del Sur to attract tourists who are intrigued by this distinct purple corn.

"At East-West Seed, we aim to improve the lives of our farmers by offering them innovative and high-yielding vegetable seed varieties that are suitable to the local growing conditions and needs of the local market," said Jay Lopez, General Manager of EastWest Seed Philippines. "Morado purple corn combines visual appeal, health benefits, and a significant potential to increase income, making it a favorable choice for entrepreneurial farmers," Lopez added.