WPC UPDATE, ROUND OF 64

DE LUNA VS. CORTEZA IN KNOCK OUT STAGE

JEFFREY "The Bull" De Luna and Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza will knock-out each other to determine who will enter in the round-of-32 in the ongoing 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships at the Big Dome today (Wednesday).

De Luna, 23, is fresh from winning the 1st Manny Pacquiao International 9-Ball Championships while Corteza, is the current National Open Championship winner.

"Kung sino ang b'wenas sa break at manalo ng opening lag siya marahil ang mananalo sa aming laban," said the 28-year-old Corteza, playing under the banner of Negros Billiard Stable who lost to Serbia 's Goran Mladenovic, 7-9, but beat Taiwanese Pei Wei Chang, 9-4, and US bet Jeremy Jones, 9-4, last Sunday, in succession. Corteza, beat Wu Chia-ching, the 2005 WPC winner in their $3,000 money game match last Sunday at the One Side Billiard Hall in Malate, Manila.

De Luna, on the other hand, beat Sander Tot of Serbia, 9-5, and Taiwan's Fu Che-Wei, 9-3, late Monday to progress.

"Bibigyan natin ng magandang laban si Van-Van (Corteza), tiyak yan," said De Luna, the 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist.

NBS coach/ manager Christopher Palses said "Balikatan, s'yempre kasi hindi na basta-basta si Jeff (De Luna), may malaking title na yan eh," " Suwertehan na lang sa break,"added Palses, a certified class O player, a habitué of Celebrity Bar and Grill Billiard Hall in Bacolod City.

Billiard and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Ernesto Fajardo said "Simula bukas (ngayon) talaga natin makikita ang tunay na aksiyon, talagang hindi maiiwasan na hindi magkakaharap ang mga player natin. Pero ang mahalaga ay Filipino pa din ang mananalo,"

Francisco "Django" Bustamante, the 2002 WPC runner-up, who is eyeing the top prize of $100,000 plus the prestigious crown takes on David Alcaide of Spain in the last 64 while Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, the 2004 WPC winner face Pham Tuan Ngoc of Vietnam.

"Hindi basta-basta si Alcaide, beterano na yan eh," said the 43-year-old Bustamante, pride of Puyat Sports.

Bosom buddy Efren "Bata" Reyes, the 1999 WPC winner takes on Group 11 winner.

However, if Reyes, acknowledge "The Magician" in world of pool, if he wins his round-of-64 match, he will face the survivor of De Luna and Corteza match.

"Kahit sino, ready naman tayo," said Reyes, a hall of famer in billiard.

Joven "The Shark" Bustamante, the 2007 Korea Pro Tour Champion, takes on 3rd placer in Group 13.

Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego goes up against Kuo Po-Cheng of Taiwan, a former World Pool runner-up while defending champion Ronato Alcano, who is aiming to retain his title takes on 4th placer in Group 16.

Leonardo "Dodong Dadiangas" Andam, who edged Raj Hundal of England, 9-8, late Monday will test the mettle of Group 15 3rd placer, while Antonio Gabica slug it out with winner of Group 13.

Marlon Manalo, 2005 WPC 3rd placer, who beat Li He-wen of China, 9-7, late Monday, the 2006 WPC semi-finalist will meet Radoslaw Babica of Poland.

Former World Champions Ralf Souquet of Germany and Earl Strickland of United States hurdle their do-or-die match late Monday to progress. So far, only Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, also a former World Champion failed to progress.

Mika Immonen of Finland, Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan and Oliver Ortmann of Germany, former world champions also advance in the last 64.

Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez and Rodolfo Luat, meanwhile playing their opening games yesterday.

The Philippines has the most number of entries with 15 followed by the United States has 11 entries. Antonio "Nickoy" Lining, is only the Filipino casualty after day 3.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)