Van Boening, Owen Win; Deuel Upset

From l to r: Shane Van Boening, Victor Arpilleda

American pros took two from Singapore in the opening round of the Philippine Open Pool Championship at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

US No. 1 Shane van Boening lived up to his No. 5 seeding by beating qualifier entry Chan Keng Kwang of Singapore 9-5.

Then, in a hill-hill thriller that lasted nearly 3 hours, Gabe Owen shaded Singapore champion Toh Lian Han. The American came from 6-8 down to take the match.

But their compatriot, No. 9 seed Corey Deuel, was not as fortunate. He fell to Filipino veteran Victor Arpilleda by the score of 9-7 in a close match that saw Deuel fight back from 4-8 to close the count to 7-8.

In the 16^th rack, the Filipino got an opening and he ran out the table to take the match.

Other opening round winners were:

Kok Hon Keong, Malaysia, beat Bernard Tey Kiat, Singapore, 9-6.

Mario Tolentino, Philippines, beat Ernesto Dominguez, Mexico, 9-6.

Demosthenes Pulpul (seeded 16), Philippines, beat Elvis Calasang, Philippines, 9-3.

Kelley Fisher, UK, beat Timo Makela, Finland (9-7).

Jeong Young Hwa, Korea, beat Edgar Acaba, Philippines, 9-7.