Veteran campaigners Anton Raga, Roel Esquillo and Paul John Ortega will lead a crack of Filipino pool players at the 2026 Japan 10-Ball Open on Sept. 19, 20 and 21 in Tokyo, Japan.
Also joining the tournament are Erickson Navarrete, Rommel Santos and John Reibert Ripay.
The Japan-bound Filipinos visited Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Francisco Rivera at his office on Wednesday. They were accompanied by team managers Kyla Pelos Santos, Wilfredo Figueroa and Carmen Angeles.
They were also welcomed by GAB supervising sports and games regulation officer Cynthia Cañezal and GAB focal person for pro billiards Alile Gabinete.
The 28-year-old Raga, a native of Talisay town in Cebu, placed second at the China Open in 2019, 2023 and 2026.
"I am hoping to perform well in the Japan Open," said Raga, fondly called The Dragon in the pool world.
The 31-year-old Caloocan bet Santos, on the other hand, made it to the semifinals of the All Japan Championships and All Canto Open, both held last year in Japan.
'We are expecting tough matches but we will try our best for flag and country," said Santos.
The 41-year-old Navarrete of Calamba, Laguna, meanwhile, finished 9th in the Philippine Open and scored an upset win against pool legend Denmis Orcullo at the Efren "Bata" Reyes Yalin 9-Ball Open.
'It will be a very tough match against the Asian players from Taiwan, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Korea and Japan, not to mention players from the United States as well from Europe," said Navarrete.
The 40-year old Ripay, one of the famous Filipino bloggers topped the 2025 Motivated Billiard Season 6 10-Ball Championship.
"We are ready," said Ripay, also known as Jheck.
Esquillo and Ortega are the spokesperson of the group.
The Japan 10-Ball Open offers a P600,000 prize to the champion.
GRivera sent his best wishes to all the Filipino athletes and delegates participating in this year's Japan 10-ball Open.
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