BCA National 8-Ball Championships to host Matchroom's World Pool Masters at the Riviera, Las Vegas, May 9-11, 2008

Reigning WPA World 9-Ball Champion Daryl Peach (England); Player of the Year, and BCA Pool League representative, Shane Van Boening (USA); 18 year old phenomenon, and 2007 World Junior Champion, Ko Pin Ye (Taiwan); 2003 World Pool Masters Champion Tony Drago (Malta); 2001 WPA World 9-Ball Champion Mika Immonen (Finland), and multiple UPA tour winner Rodney Morris (USA) have all agreed to compete in the 2008 World Pool Masters at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, May 9-11, 2008.

Matchroom's Luke Riches reports, "The invite list is taking shape but, through our agreement with the WPA, we take the top four ranked players on the Euro Tour after their next event which finishes on the 24th of this month."

16 internationally ranked players will compete for the coveted title of World Pool Master. Europe, Asia, and America will be represented in the all or nothing, nerve racking, single elimination event.

5 time Masters Champion Ralf Souquet (Germany), 2005 World Pool Masters Champion Francisco Bustamante (Philippines), 2004 WPA World 9-Ball Champion Alex Pagulayan (Philippines) and 2007 Diamond Derby City Classic 9-Ball Champion Niels Feijen (Netherlands) have yet to confirm their invitation.

BCAPL's Mark Griffin acknowledges, "Our players love professional action. This is the first time the Masters has been held on U.S. soil. We are honored Matchroom has chosen us. It's been a tradition to entertain the thousands of BCA Pool League members who travel the globe to compete in our National 8-Ball Championships. This year will be no different."

As always, the World Pool Masters will be televised throughout the world. The BCAPL, in conjunction with the Riviera, is working on a seating plan that will accommodate a few hundred spectators. Tickets will be made available in March on the Playbca.com website, and if any are left, at the Championships.

Stay tuned.