Marlon Manalo

From - Philippines

Age -    28

Based -  Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Nickname -  Marvellous

Hobbies -  Swimming, Strolling

Years Playing -  10 years a pro

Cue Used - Predator

Achievements - 2000 Asian Snooker Champion, 2001 Silver Medallist World Games, Akita. 2 silver medals at 2004 Asian Games in Vietnam. Quarter finalist at 2004 Taiwan World Pool Championship.

The unassuming Manalo was definitely the surprise package of the 2004 WPC as he beat Yang, Bustamante and Reyes in successive matches before going out in the last eight to Marcus Chamat. Silky smooth in stroke, Manalo looked the complete player as he ran rack after rack against the most intimidating opponents. However, being the true Filipino at heart, he could gain very little pleasure from dumping out national heroes like Reyes. The writing was o­n the wall at the 2003 WPC when Marlon won all seven of his group games before losing to Young-hwa Jeong, the classy Korean, in the last 32. Predominantly a snooker player in a country with just four tables, Manalo has recorded green baize wins over the likes of Matthew Stevens and Shokat Ali. If he can repeat his World Championship form then Manalo has every chance in Holland.

Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news in the sport of billiards and pool.