Personal Information
Name : Ramon Mistica
Residence : Quezon City, Philippines
DOB : December 17, 1959
Birthplace : Quezon City, Philippines
Cue Used : Viattorre Custom Cue
Career History
2000 Motolite Tournament 16th place
1997 July 5th Japan Open (top 16)
Interview by EPT correspondent Kontra
kontra: How did you start playing pool? What made you interested in the game? How long have you been playing the game?
Ramon: I started playing at 14 yrs. old, when I saw Amang Parica play. I have been playing for 27 years.
kontra: Why did you become a professional player?
Ramon: I wanted to become competitive, to join tournaments.
kontra: How did you learn to play this game?
Ramon: I learned the game by myself, try to discover things thru practice and play.
kontra: What have you accomplished as a player to date? What do you consider your best accomplishments?
Ramon: I haven't been given any good breaks, just recently I was able to join the Motolite tournament and reach the elimination and ended up placing 16th. I have played in Japan, same as how Efren first played in the US, hustling.
kontra: Who is your favorite professional pool player? How much influence did this player have on your game?
Ramon: Jose 'Amang' Parica is my favorite professional player because he is really good and he inspired me to be what I am right now.
kontra: What do you consider the strongest part of your game? The weakest? What game do you consider is your best game?
Ramon: My strongest part is making the cue ball dance around the table, cue ball control is my forte. I played my strongest from 1975-1979. The best game for me was way back in 1979 in the "Beat Amang Parica Challenge" where they would the send the winner to the USA. I only reached 5th place, but I still consider it to be my best game.
kontra: How much time do you spend practicing and how do you prepare yourself for an upcoming tournament?
Ramon: I practice 4 to 5 days a week for around 4 hours each session. I practice hard before a tournament and play other strong players and rest early.
kontra: What do you do when you're not playing pool?
Ramon: When I'm not playing I teach pool.
kontra: What advice would you give a young player who would like to improve their game?
Ramon: If they want to learn or even become a professional player, they have to have discipline, practice, practice and practice and still love what they do.
kontra: What goals have you set for yourself this year?
Ramon: I want to become more popular in the future and I'd like people to recognize me as a very good professional player. If I get the break, I want to play internationally too and I want to win tournaments this year.
kontra: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Ramon: I am a poolplayer at heart, it is already imbedded in my system. I am a nice person but a fierce competitor at the table.
kontra: A lot of people consider Filipinos as very strong players. What is your opinion on this subject? How can we maintain our current standing in the pool world?
Ramon: Filipino's are very strong players in all the games of pool, because they are very willing, determined full of eagerness and most of all enjoy the game very much. Practice more, get more support from government and faith in God to maintain and even go higher in our current standing in the pool world.
kontra: Give me your thoughts about the future of pool in the Philippines?
Ramon: I think pool will become even more popular in the Philippines, it would become the most in-demand game.
kontra: How would you compare the men's from the women's level of play?
Ramon: The men's division is more difficult as there are a lot of really good players, women are just starting to learn and like pool.
