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By Noli Cruz, Junior Desk Editor
THE reigning champions in Philippine billiards are making headway in
the World Ten Ball Championship.
National Open winner Marlon Manalo, the
prohibitive favorite to take home the world title, made short work
of compatriot Victor Arpilleda, 9-2, while reigning national junior
champ Jericho Bañares bucked a slow start to beat Dodong Alwi of
Indonesia, 9-4, Friday at the Philippine International Convention
Center.
Manalo, winner of multiple 10-ball events in the
United States this year, quickly raced to a 3-0 lead against
Arpilleda and never looked back.
“Mahirap bigyan ng pagkakataon si Victor.
Maganda ang tinitira n’ya sa tournament na ‘to kaya pinilit ko
talaga na makauna,” said Manalo.
Banares, the country’s top bet in this
year’s World Pool Junior Championship, took different route on his
way to the Round of 16.
The teenager from Antipolo City trailed 1-4
early in the match. But he was unstoppable the rest of the way.
“Parang nananaginip po ako,” said the
unassuming Banares. “Hindi ko po inaasahan na aabot ako ng ganito
kalayo after ko matalo sa opening match ko.”
He had a nightmarish start in the event, bowing
to American Stevie Moore in group play, 4-9.
Now, he’s four victories away from dreamland.
Speaking of dreamland, Demos-thenes Pulpul might
be there already after marching into the next round. The unheralded
cue artist demolished Kazuo Furuta of Japan, 9-4.
Pulpul had to go through the tough qualifying
rounds to earn his spot in the biggest pool tournament in the world
this year.
He’s joined in the next round by world
champions Ralf Souquet of Germany, Mika Immonen of Finland and Wu
Chia-ching of Chinese Taipei.
“Malaking karangalan sa akin na mabanggit ang
pangalan ko sa company ng mga world champions,” said Pulpul, a
native of Cagayan de Oro City.
Souquet, the reigning world 8-ball ruler,
trounced Vilmos Foldes of Hungary, 9-4; Immonen tamed defending
world junior champion Ko Pin-yi of Chinese Taipei, 9-6; and Wu
downed Bruno Muratore of Italy, 9-6.
Last year’s US Open champion Shane Van Boening
of the United States also booked a seat in the next round after
sending home compatriot Shaun Wilkie, 9-5.
World Pool Championship winner Daryl Peach of
England was ambushed in the round by countryman mark Gray, 9-6.
There was also a heartbreaker for Filipinos.
Leonardo “Dodong” Didal got stuck on the
hill against heavyweight Yang Ching-shun of Chinese Taipei, losing
8-9 after leading by two and breaking for the match.
There would have been a sure seat for a Filipino
in the quarterfinal had Didal won. Instead, it would be Yang against
Pulpul in the next round.
Jeffrey de Luna’s exit was more of
embarrassing than frustrating. The hard-breaking blonde got waylaid
by Taiwanese ace Fu Che-wei, 1-9.
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