Philippine Open Pool Championship News

2009-11-30T03:16:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Final Match - Race to 11: Immonen (FIN) = 2 vs Corteza (PHI) = 3

2009-11-30T03:10:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Final Match - Race to 11: Immonen (FIN) = 2 vs Corteza (PHI) = 2

2009-11-30T03:03:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Final Match - Race to 11: Immonen (FIN) = 1 vs Corteza (PHI) = 2

2009-11-30T02:49:00.001-08:00

Corteza draws first blood - 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Final Match - Race to 11: Immonen (FIN) = 0 vs Corteza (PHI) = 1

2009-11-30T02:25:00.001-08:00

Live on Studio23 and StarSports - 2009 World 10 Ball Championship FINAL MATCH - Race to 11: Immonen (FIN) vs Corteza (PHI)

2009-11-30T02:18:00.001-08:00

ON TO THE FINALS! Mika Immonen (FIN) vs Lee Van Corteza (PHI) FOR 2009 World 10 Ball Champion. Live on Studio 23 and Star Sports

2009-11-30T02:14:00.001-08:00

CORTEZA TO THE FINALS!!! 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 7 vs Corteza (PHI) = 9

2009-11-30T02:08:00.001-08:00

CORTEZA ON THE HILL! 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 7 vs Corteza (PHI) = 8

2009-11-30T02:03:00.001-08:00

ANOTHER TIE!!! 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 7 vs Corteza (PHI) = 7

2009-11-30T01:53:00.001-08:00

CHANGE FAVOR !!! 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 7 vs Corteza (PHI) = 6

2009-11-30T01:47:00.001-08:00

TIE!!! 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 6 vs Corteza (PHI) = 6

2009-11-30T01:33:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 5 vs Corteza (PHI) = 6

2009-11-30T01:25:00.001-08:00

Combination on on the 10 by Alcaide! 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 4 vs Corteza (PHI) = 5

2009-11-30T01:18:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 3 vs Corteza (PHI) = 5

2009-11-30T01:10:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 2 vs Corteza (PHI) = 5

2009-11-30T01:01:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 2 vs Corteza (PHI) = 4

2009-11-30T00:51:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 2 vs Corteza (PHI) = 3

2009-11-30T00:43:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 1 vs Corteza (PHI) = 3

2009-11-30T00:36:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 1 vs Corteza (PHI) = 2

2009-11-30T00:29:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 1 vs Corteza (PHI) = 1

2009-11-30T00:27:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) = 1 vs Corteza (PHI) = 0

2009-11-30T00:04:00.001-08:00

Live on Studio 23 and Star Sports: 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) vs Corteza (PHI)

2009-11-29T23:55:00.001-08:00

Next up on 2009 World 10 Ball Championship -- Semifinal match 2 - Race to 9: Alcaide (SPN) vs Corteza (PHI)

2009-11-29T23:54:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship -- IMMONEN GETS FIRST FINAL SLOT! Defeats Lining 9-7

2009-11-29T23:50:00.001-08:00

SORRY, TYPOS -- 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 8; Lining (PHI) = 7

2009-11-29T23:49:00.003-08:00

ALMOST THERE! 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9: Immonen (FIN) = 2; Lining (PHI) = 1

2009-11-29T23:49:00.001-08:00

almost the2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9: Immonen (FIN) = 8; Lining (PHI) = 7

2009-11-29T23:41:00.001-08:00

TOO CLOSE!!! 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9: Immonen (FIN) = 7; Lining (PHI) = 7

2009-11-29T23:33:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 6
Lining (PHI) = 7

2009-11-29T23:22:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 6
Lining (PHI) = 6

2009-11-29T23:18:00.001-08:00

Lining scratches on break

2009-11-29T23:15:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 5
Lining (PHI) = 6

2009-11-29T23:14:00.001-08:00

Immonen fudges the 8!

2009-11-29T23:10:00.001-08:00

Lining hides 3 ball, Immonen overcomes with a bank shot for his own safety shot, now Lining executes a very fine side shot on the 3 completely avoiding the blocking 4

2009-11-29T23:06:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 5
Lining (PHI) = 5

2009-11-29T23:05:00.001-08:00

Dry break by Immonen

2009-11-29T22:59:00.001-08:00

Lining rallies! 2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 4
Lining (PHI) = 5

2009-11-29T22:48:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 4
Lining (PHI) = 3

2009-11-29T22:44:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 4
Lining (PHI) = 2

2009-11-29T22:35:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 4
Lining (PHI) = 1

2009-11-29T22:31:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 3
Lining (PHI) = 1

2009-11-29T22:30:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 2
Lining (PHI) = 1

2009-11-29T22:27:00.001-08:00

2009orld 10 ball Champiosnhip Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 2
Lining (PHI) = 1

2009-11-29T22:20:00.001-08:00

2009orld 10 ball Champiosnhip Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 1
Lining (PHI) = 1

2009-11-29T22:14:00.001-08:00

2009orld 10 ball Champiosnhip Semifinal match 1 - Race to 9:
Immonen (FIN) = 1
Lining (PHI) = 0

2009-11-29T22:10:00.001-08:00

World 10 ball championship -- for live scoring check out rayasports.com or worldtenball.com and click on the live scoring icon

2009-11-29T21:58:00.003-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match -- catch it on Studio 23, Star Sports or on live video stream on clubcapo.tv

2009-11-29T21:58:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match -- Antonio Lining - Philippines VS Mika Immonen - Finland. 2 PM Manila time.

2009-11-29T21:41:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship Semifinal match -- Antonio Lining - Philippines VS Mika Immonen - Finland. 2 PM Manila time. Catch it on Studio 23, Star Sports or on live video stream on clubcapo.tv

2009-11-29T21:29:00.001-08:00

2009 World 10 Ball Championship updates on semifinals and finals to start at 2:00 PM MNL time

2009-06-11T21:16:00.001-07:00

See current World Pool Ranking at http://ping.fm/mZywY

Studio 23, Star Sports replay Philippine Open Pool Championship action

2009-06-05T02:04:00.000-07:00

ABS-CBN's Studio 23 will replay the exciting final match of the Philippine Open Pool Championship between Indonesia's Ricky Yang and the Philippines' Jeffrey "The Bull" de Luna this Sunday, 7 June 2009 at 3:00 PM.

On the Other hand Star Sports has started replays of all the TV games in its China, Honk Kong, Southeast Asia (Including the Philippines) and Taiwan Channels. (Schedule below)

Network	Day	Air Date	Time	Event Date	Episode No.
SCN1	SUN	07/05/2009	02:30:00	05/27/2009	1
SCN1	MON	07/06/2009	01:30:00	05/28/2009	2
SCN1	TUE	07/07/2009	03:00:00	05/29/2009	3
SCN1	WED	07/08/2009	03:00:00	05/30/2009	4
SCN1	THU	07/09/2009	03:00:00	05/31/2009	5
SCN1	MON	07/13/2009	14:00:00	05/27/2009	1
SCN1	TUE	07/14/2009	14:00:00	05/28/2009	2
SCN1	WED	07/15/2009	14:00:00	05/29/2009	3
SCN1	THU	07/16/2009	14:00:00	05/30/2009	4
SCN1	FRI	07/17/2009	14:00:00	05/31/2009	5
SHK1	MON	06/01/2009	00:00:00	05/31/2009	5
SHK1	TUE	06/02/2009	09:00:00	05/27/2009	1
SHK1	WED	06/03/2009	09:00:00	05/28/2009	2
SHK1	THU	06/04/2009	09:00:00	05/29/2009	3
SHK1	FRI	06/05/2009	09:00:00	05/30/2009	4
SHK1	SAT	06/06/2009	09:00:00	05/31/2009	5
SSE1	SUN	05/31/2009	22:30:00	05/31/2009	5
SSE1	MON	06/01/2009	10:00:00	05/27/2009	1
SSE1	TUE	06/02/2009	10:00:00	05/28/2009	2
SSE1	WED	06/03/2009	10:00:00	05/29/2009	3
SSE1	THU	06/04/2009	10:00:00	05/30/2009	4
SSE1	FRI	06/05/2009	10:00:00	05/31/2009	5
SSE1	SUN	07/05/2009	02:00:00	05/27/2009	1
SSE1	MON	07/06/2009	01:30:00	05/28/2009	2
SSE1	TUE	07/07/2009	01:30:00	05/29/2009	3
SSE1	WED	07/08/2009	01:30:00	05/30/2009	4
SSE1	WED	07/08/2009	13:00:00	05/27/2009	1
SSE1	THU	07/09/2009	01:30:00	05/31/2009	5
SSE1	THU	07/09/2009	13:00:00	05/28/2009	2
SSE1	FRI	07/10/2009	13:00:00	05/29/2009	3
SSE1	SAT	07/11/2009	13:00:00	05/30/2009	4
SSE1	SAT	07/11/2009	21:30:00	05/31/2009	5
SSE1	SUN	07/12/2009	13:00:00	05/31/2009	5
STW1	TUE	06/02/2009	08:00:00	05/27/2009	1
STW1	WED	06/03/2009	08:00:00	05/28/2009	2
STW1	THU	06/04/2009	00:00:00	05/29/2009	3
STW1	THU	06/04/2009	08:00:00	05/30/2009	4
STW1	FRI	06/05/2009	00:00:00	05/31/2009	5

Note: Schedules subject to change.

Yang Takes Philippine Open Crown

2009-05-31T16:36:00.000-07:00

Before the Philippine Open Pool Championship in Manila this week, very few outside his country knew his name. Now with the Philippine Open crown settled on his head, everyone will know who Ricky Yang and that he comes from Indonesia.

On Sunday, Yang made history in the world of pool by completing his magical winning streak at the Philippine Open with a smashing 11-4 triumph over Filipino Jeff de Luna at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The only player who went unscathed throughout the tournament, the Indonesian ace showed complete mastery of the table and his opponent. From an early 1-2 deficit, he leveled the count at 2-2, taking advantage of a stunning muffed shot by de Luna. He then raced to a 6-2 lead and was never seriously threatened from there.

With the count at 9-3, Yang recorded a dry break. De Luna brought some life to his supporters by running out the table. But then in the 14^th rack, he muffed a shot at the 9-ball. And that proved to be the end. Yang ran out, and in the 15^th, he broke and ran out to end the one-sided match.

“He really played above expectations and was surprised that he would end up unbeaten in this tournament,” said Yang’s interpreter Adrian Goh. “He was one of the underdogs considering that there are a lot of good players, including world No.1 player Ralf Souquet and world ten ball champion Darren Appleton.”

In winning the first event of the WPA World Ranking Tour, Yang pocketed the top prize of $20,000 and raised his standing in the ranking system.

De Luna, who went into the final immediately after his grueling 9-7 win over fellow Filipino Demosthenes Pulpul in the semifinals earlier, secured the $10,000 runner-up prize.

“I was so excited entering the finals when I beat Pulpul,” said De Luna. “But I was so tired and barely had time to rest. My focus was off.”

Pulpul and Lu Hui Chan each received $5,000 for jointly placing third and fourth.

2009-05-31T03:47:00.001-07:00

Philippine Open: Ricky Yang is Champion! Defeats Jeff de Luna 11-4. Live Score at http://ping.fm/KvK9q

2009-05-31T03:45:00.001-07:00

Philippine Open: Ricky Yang is Champion! Defeats Jeff de Luna 11-4. Live Score at http:www.rayasports.com

De Luna, Yang Forge Finals Date

2009-05-31T03:20:00.000-07:00

From l to r: De Luna and Yang

Jeffrey de Luna and Ricky Yang fashioned identical 9-7 victories over their respective semifinal opponents Sunday afternoon, to forge a meeting for top honors in the inaugural Philippine Open Pool Championship at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.

Ricky Yang beat Lu Hui Chan of Chinese Taipei in the first semifinal. Both players were at the top of their game, but the Indonesian proved just a little bit steadier and more precise in his potting and position play.

Lu led in the early going, but Yang quickly caught up and then led 3-2 and 5-3. From there it was always Yang just a bit ahead by a rack or two. Whenever the Taiwanese closed in, the Indonesian would reply by taking the next rack.

In the other semifinal, Jeffrey de Luna prevailed over fellow Filipino Demosthenes Pulpul. The match was tight all the way, with neither player getting any advantage.

With the count knotted at 7-7, Pulpul had a chance to go to the hill first as he faced a makeable runout of the table in the 15^th rack. But a muffed stun shot on the 7-ball quickly reversed the situation. De Luna wound up on the hill instead.

In the 16^th rack, De Luna got a good break and he ran out to take the match and book a place in the finals.

The finals between Yang and De Luna will be played after a brief break.

All-Asian Final Four in Phil Open

2009-05-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

From l to r: Pulpul, Yang, De Luna, and Hui-Chan

They were 64 players from all regions of the world when the Philippine Open Pool Championship began last Wednesday, May 27 – each one hoping to take the top prize $20,000 and the trophy that goes with it. Five days later, this Sunday, May 31, there are only four of them left contending for the prize. And they are all Asians – Ricky Yang of Indonesia, Lu Hui-Chan of Chinese Taipei, and Demosthenes Pulpul and Jeffrey de Luna of the Philippines.

The last three Americans and three Europeans bowed out of the tournament on Saturday. And they included such redoubtable names as world 10-ball champion and second-seeded Darren Appleton, former US Open champion Corey Deuel, perennial top 10 player Marcus Chamat, and women’s champion and last woman in the tournament, Kelly Fisher.

All fell under the onslaught of the new power players from Asia, some of whom were being seen for the first time by their Atlantic rivals.

Pulpul Shows He Belongs Among Elite

2009-05-30T18:51:00.000-07:00

Last year, Demosthenes Pulpul, an unknown player from Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, surprisingly barged his way into the Final Four of the World Ten Ball Championship. This year, the man fondly called by his peers and friends as “Plong-Plong” has secured yet another Final Four seat in the Philippine Open.

In front of a large crowd at the SM Megamall and tens of millions watching on live national and international TV, Pulpul proved that he belongs among pool’s elite. He ran roughshod over Taiwanese Lu Hui-Chan, 9-1, in a performance that left many in awe. He attacked the 10-ball rack with a highly effective break and nearly flawless pocketing and position play.

The Filipino jumped the gun early on his rival, taking a commanding 7-0 lead. Although Lu managed to break into the scoring column, he couldn’t make a run. Once Pulpul returned to the table, he raced farther ahead again, wrapping up the match on the 10th rack.

“My break was good and effective,” said Pulpul in Filipino. “And I was more relaxed than my opponent. He looked a little flustered because he was playing on TV.”

Earlier in the day, Pulpul beat the last female player in the tournament, Kelley Fisher of the United Kingdom. And he did so in the same decisive fashion. Fisher, who was unbeaten up to that point, went down 9-2.

In five matches, Pulpul has lost a total of 14 racks, with no opponent winning more than four racks against him. His other victims were: Elvis Calasang (9-3), Kok Keong (9-4), and Mario Tolentino (9-4).

Yang Raises Indonesian Flag

2009-05-30T18:50:00.000-07:00

Also unbeaten after four days of competition is Ricky Yang, who has served notice together with Rudi Susanto that Indonesia is also a pool-playing nation.

Like Pulpul, Yang posted his fifth win in as many matches to gain a seat in the much coveted Final Four. But the Indonesian ace had to grind out a win over Rudoslaw Babica of Poland, 9-7.

Yang’s four other victories were recorded against the following players: Kenji Taguchi (9-2), Leonardo Didal (9-8), Sastoshi Kawabata (9-6), and Chang Pei-Wei (9-6).

De Luna the giant killer

2009-05-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

First, he took down the world’s No.1 player. Second, he beat the world’s No. 2 player and reigning world 10-ball champion. With his feats, Jeffrey de Luna has indisputably earned the title of giant killer in the Philippine Open Pool Championship.

The power-breaking Filipino served notice first last Friday with his smashing 9-6 triumph over Ralf Souquet. He led the match throughout, never allowing the German to close in.

Came Saturday, he pulled off yet another convincing victory, this time against Darren Appleton of UK, 9-7. The Briton fought every step of the way, but De Luna could not be denied.

Appleton missed two golden opportunities during a critical stage of the match – a jump shot on 1-ball and a scratch after making the 5-ball in the 16th rack. That allowed De Luna to wrap up the match.

Finally, to cap his impressive run Saturday night, the Filipino beat Radislaw Babica, 9-5, to earn a place in the Final Four.

De Luna has had to play more games than the other semi-finalist because he lost to Chang Pei-Wei in the third round (2-9). After landing in the losers bracket, he then made his run. His other victories were recorded against Elmer Kalaquian (9-8), Jestoni Magadia (9-2), Oscar Dominguez (9-4), and Rudi Susanto (9-4).

Lu Is Fourth Semifinalist

2009-05-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

In his most impressive outing yet in an international tournament, Lu Hui-Chan of Chinese Taipei has garnered the fourth slot in the Final Four of the Philippine Open. And he has done so in a way that tags him as a possible winner when the smoke of competition clears.

But for his lone loss to Pulpul, Lu has been devastating and impressive.

In his win-or-die match Saturday night against the equally impressive Corey Deuel, the Taiwanese took control early and did not give the American much room to get back. He took the match 9-6.

Earlier in the tournament, he took down Arnel Bautista (9-4), Thorsten Hohmann (9-4), Ko Pin-Yi (9-3), and Rudi Susanto (9-5).

Filipino Ends Fisher’s Run

2009-05-30T02:38:00.000-07:00

From l to r: Yang and Pupul

Just as he did to Jasmin Ouschan in the World Ten Ball Championship last year, Demosthenes Pulpul ended Kelly Kisher’s magical run in the Philippine Open Pool Championship with a convincing 9-2 victory.

Both the Filipino and the Irish woman were undefeated up to their match that opened Day Four of the competition.

Pulpul, who placed fourth in the WTBC, raced to a 3-1 lead, which he never relinquished. By the time Fisher won her second rack the score was already 6-2.

After Fisher’s failed break on the 9^th rack, Pulpul ran out and did not give her another chance.

In other matches of the undefeated, Lu Hui-Chan crushed Rudi Susanto 9-5; Ricky Yang beat Chang Pei-Wei 9-6; and Raduslaw Babica surprised Marcus Chamat with a decisive 9-2 whitewashing.

Until his meeting with Lu, Susanto had been another major surprise in the tournament, as he took down a number of top opponents, including Filipino Marlon Manalo and American Shane van Boening. But against Lu, the skills and experience of the Taiwanese proved too much to handle. Lu won running away by the score of 9-5.

The other Indonesian in the last 16, Ricky Yang, was more successful in his match against another Taiwanese, Chang Pei-Wei, a former world 9-ball runner-up. Yang paced the match throughout, and never allowed Chang to knot the count or take the lead. When the smoke cleared, he was victor by the score of 9-6.

2009-05-30T02:22:00.001-07:00

For the latest photos of the Philippine Open Pool Championship click on the Photo gallery button of http://ping.fm/0ygHP

2009-05-30T01:22:00.001-07:00

Check out the latest Philippine Open results -- click the Live Scoring Button at http://ping.fm/fbrOh

2009-05-30T01:21:00.001-07:00

Check out the latest Philippine Open results -- click the Live Scoring Button at www.rayasports.com

Kelly Fisher Shows Her Stuff

2009-05-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

The surprise story in the Philippine Open is Kelly Fisher, and how she has stood toe-to-toe with the men and come out ahead and unbeaten – so far.

The other surprise is how the Indonesians are showing that they have the stuff to contend with the best in the world. Ricky Yang and Rudi Susanto, the only bets from Indonesia, are unbeaten so far.

Fisher, a former world 9-Ball women’s champion, outclassed Gabe Owen, 9-3, to enter the fourth round of the winner’s bracket. The Briton jumped the gun early on the American, racing to an 8-1 lead and never looking back.

Ricky Yang humbled Satoshi Kawabata 9-6, in a match televised all over Asia by ESPN Star Sports. He raced to a 6-2 lead before the Japanese could mount a comeback that proved too late.

In a match that went down the wire, Susanto, a 26-year-old entering his first major international tournament, beat US No. 1 Shane van Boening. It was his second big scalp having beaten Filipino Marlon Manalo a round earlier.

The three now join Chang Pei Wei and Lu Hui Chan of Chinese Taipei, Demosthenes Pulpul of the Philippines, Marcus Chamat of Finland, and Radoslaw Babica of Poland, as the only unbeaten players in this event that is billed as the first in the WPA World-Ranking Tour this year.

Babica recorded one of the day’s major upsets when he toppled world 10-ball champion Darren Appleton, 9-6. The Pole is showing that his top 16 WPA ranking is no fluke.

But the spotlight on Day 3 belonged clearly to Fisher, who is making an even bigger impression than Jasmin Ouschan’s exploits in the World Ten Ball Championship here in Manila last October.

“I had almost a full day of rest and to me, it was a privilege,” said Fisher. “I came out fully recharged and that helped my game a bit.”

Fisher is the only female player left from the original six entered in the 64-player field. The latest casualty among the women was Karen Corr, the multi-titled player from Ireland.

Corr was booted out by the world No.1 Ralf Souquet, 9-2.

Rough Day for Filipinos

2009-05-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

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.

Favorites in an unfamiliar territory

2009-05-29T20:33:00.000-07:00

From l to r: Shane Van Boening and Ralf Souquet

The favorites in this event have suddenly found themselves in an unfamiliar territory.

WTBC champion Darren Appleton, world’s No.1 player Ralf Souquet, two-time World Junior champion Ko Pin Yi, former US Open champion Shane Van Boening, American standouts Gabe Owen and Corey Deuel and notable Filipino players such as Marlon Manalo and Gaga Gabica are in the loser’s side and are fighting for survival.

But it could happen even to the best of them and Souquet agrees with it.

“Well, there’s a bad day and there are days where you are at your best. That’s the beauty of this sport,” said Souquet.

Van Boening, who was just a point away from securing his third straight victory, said his previous match could have gone either way.

“It’s a game of good breaks,” said Van Boening. “Now it’s a test of character for us. That’s what we’ve lived for, play to your best potential.”

Taiwanese Assert Their Presence

2009-05-28T17:18:00.000-07:00

Three Taiwanese players fought their way into the third round in the winners bracket, while two stayed alive in the losers bracket. Either way, the Taiwanese are making their presence felt again in an international tournament as they showed strength in the face of top-flight competition in the ongoing Philippine Open.

Two-time world junior champion Ko Pin-Yi, seeded fourth, led the Taiwanese march with convincing victories over Kenichi Uchigaki (9-6) and Naoyuki Oi (9-3).

Lu Hui-Chan trounced Arnel Bautista (9-4) and former world champion Thorsten Hohmann (9-4).

Chang Pei-Wei, a former world 9-ball championship runner-up, beat Jasan Klatt (9-5) and Fabio Petroni (9-6).

In the losers bracket, current Taiwanese No. 1 Fu Che-Wei remained in contention with a lopsided win over Kenji Taguchi (9-3). He was beaten decisively earlier by Leonardo Didal by the score of 4-9.

Also sporting a 1-1 record is Kuo Po-Cheng, a former WPC runner-up also. He made short work of Sarah Rousey, 9-4, in the opening. But he then came up short Marcus Chamat, 5-9.

Despite missing the presence of former double world champion Wu Chia-Ching and money game king Yan Ching-Shun, the Taiwanese contingent look every bit as deadly and formidable. Ko, for one, looks ready for the big time after his victories in the Subic-Olongapo Open and Bangkok Open.

US Bets Contend For Top Position

2009-05-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

Four American players are methodically moving their way to the top of the ongoing Philippine Open at SM Megamall.

In second round matches Thursday, Shane van Boening and Gabe Owen beat separate opponents to stay in the winners bracket.

Seeded No. 5, Van Boening beat Korean Jeong Young Hwa 9-2. The American champion appears to be finding his groove with his second decisive win in a row. He earlier beat Singaporean Chan Keng Kwang by the score of 9-5.

After barely hurdling the first round via a hill-hill match against Singaporean Toh Lian Han, Owen found his form Thursday as he trounced Scot Jonni Fulcher 9-3.

On the losers bracket, Corey Deuel and Oscar Dominguez remain in contention for the top prize.

Deuel beat Ibrahim bin Amir of Malaysia 9-5, while Dominguez hurdled Julie Kelly of Ireland, 9-6.

Filipino Fortunes Mixed

2009-05-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

A day after Mario Tolentino pulled off a king-sized upset win against the world’s No.1 player, Ralf Souquet of Germany, Filipinos had mixed fortunes in the Philippine Open after two days of play.

Antonio Gabica, Asian Games gold medalist, subdued Bin Amir Ibrahim, 9-2, while De Luna ripped fellow Filipino Jestoni Magadia, 9-2.

The two Filipinos joined Tolentino and Pulpul as the only undefeated Pinoy players in the tournament.

In contrast, however, one of the country’s promising players, Jericho Banares, got the early exit door. The reigning national junior champion dropped a 7-9 decisio9n against Toh Lian Han of Singapore. The 19-year-old pride of Cainta failed to secure a win and lost his first two games.

Former Asian snooker champion Marlon Manalo also absorbed a stunning defeat – against Rudi Susanto of Indonesia, 7-9 – in the second round Thursday. With his 1-1 record, he was relegated to the losers’ bracket.

Also sporting a 1-1 record and still alive in the Open are: James Al Ortega (winner over Jason Klatt, 9-5); Alan Cuartero (winner over Bautista, 9-5); Oliver Villafuerte (winner over Resty Labastida, 9-3). Jestoni Magadia (loser to De Luna, 9-2) an Victor Arpilleda (loser to Fisher, 9-7).

Already eliminated are Jerico Banares, Jonas Magpantay, Luis Saberdo, Edgar Acaba, Elvis Calasang, Arnel Bautista, Marvin Tapia and Elmer Kalaquian.