LOCAL BET Marlon Manalo and Antonio Gabica, both top player of Philippine Billiards Development Foundation (PBDF) hurdle their respective rivals after Day 4 to advance in the semi-final round of the $30,000 Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup Ten Ball Championship dubbed as inaugural event of the Philippine Pool Tour late Friday held at the Kaban ng Hiyas Building in Mandaluyong City.
Manalo, who is seeking another title to tucked under his belt edges former WPA World 9-Ball Champion Thorsten "The Hitman" Hohmann of Germany, 9-8, while Gabica, reigning 2007 San Miguel Beer Philippine Open champion nipped compatriot Mario Tolentino in a similar 9-5 victory.
"Malayong factor 'yung suporta na pinakikita ng mga kababayan ko, sila ang naging ispirasyon ko at s'yempre ang pamilya ko na laging sumusuporta sa akin," said the 30-year-old Manalo, who sealed the deal with a crafty safety play on the four ball in the last rack but Hohmann managed to hit the 4-ball, however the latter's (Hohmann) gave Manalo a golden opportunity as the former (Manalo) take a left open shot to runout the table and escaped a 9-8 decision wins in the event presented by San Miguel Beer.
"Hope pumabor 'yung bola sa atin bukas (ngayon), said Manalo, fondly called "Marvelous" in international pool thus his victory was a revenge of sorts when he lost to Hohmann in the finals of the IPT North America 8-Ball Championship – also a hill-hill thriller two years ago.
On the way to the final four Manalo defeated Luis Saberdo, 9-6, James Al Ortega, 9-7, Gerald Carbonera, 9-4, and Allan Soliman, 9-5, respectively while Gabica beat Richard Rollo, 9-5, Silverio Tulabing, 9-4, Courtney Symons of England, 9-4 and Tomoo Takano of Japan, 9-4.
"Gagawin ko ang best ko na manalo muli tayo," commented the 35-year-old Lapu-Lapu City ace Gabica.
Hohmann and Tolentino also had a chance in contention in the $10,000 top prize, double elimination format , both looking for the last two slots in the loser's brackets to catch up the last bus in the semis.
On the losers' bracket, Chung Chien-Te of Taiwan tronced James Al Ortega (9-5), Junbert Ogang (9-5), and Kenji Taguchi of Japan (9-2), to stay in course.
18-year-old Jerico Banares, reigning Philippine Junior Champion continued to impress pool aficionados and the media. In a match between a junior and a senior, he downed 58-year-old Gerry Watson of Canada, 9-6, to book himself a place in the last eight.
"Who is this guy?" Watson declared with good humor afterwards. "He didn't miss a shot!"
Leonardo Didal took perhaps the biggest scalp in the tournament. He ousted Johnny Archer of the United States, 9-7. He scored two other victories: against Gilbert Carbonera 9-5, and against Tomoo Tanaka of Japan, 9-5,
The final name in the Last Eight is talented veteran Leonardo Andam. He began Day 4 with a nail-biting thriller against Raymond Faraon (9-8), and then mowed down Courtney Symons of England (9-4) and Allan Soliman (9-2).
The six players in the Losers Bracket – Thorsten Hohmann, Mario Tolentino, Chun Chien-Te, Jerico Banares, Leonardo Didal and Leonardo Andam – will see action Saturday (May 10) to decide who will be the two players to enter the Final Four in Sunday's finale.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
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