Rough Day for Filipinos

From l to r: Antonio Gabica and Jeffrey De Luna

Except for Pulpul’s sustained winning run, it was generally a rough day for the Filipinos. Two erstwhile unbeaten bets – Jeff de Luna and Gabica -- fell into the loser’s side of the tournament, where they joined compatriots Marlon Manalo, Oliver Villafuerte, Allan Cuartero and erstwhile leader Mario Tolentino in battling for a place in the Last 16 at the end of Day 3 competition,

Following his loss at the hands of Indonesia’s Susanto, Manalo struck back with a vengeance and upstaged Leong Young Hwa of Korea, 9-7. But then he was paired with Gabica in a late evening match, and the latter beat him 9-4.

Villafuerte outplayed Chan Keng Kwang of Singapore, 9-4, but then came up short against American Gabe Owen, losing 9-6.

De Luna bounced back from his loss to Chang by completely dominating Souquet, 9-3, in another late match.

Cuartero became the fourth Filipino enooted out Fabio Petroni of Italy, 9-5.