LAST TAIWANESE STANDING IN THE FINALS; 2 PINOYS DISPUTE LAST FINALS BERTH IN PUERTO POOL

Puerto Princessa Pool
Semi-Final Results: (Sunday)
Wu Chia-Ching of Taiwan beat Ralf Souquet of Germany, 9-8
Marlon Manalo and Jericho Banares still playing as of press time for the last final berths then finals afterwards

Loser's side: (Sunday)
Marlon Manalo nipped Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan, 9-7
Ralf Souquet of Germany trounced Antonio Gabica, 9-3

Quarter-Final Results: (Late Saturday)
Wu Chia-Ching beat Marlon Manalo, 9-8
Jericho Banares defeated Antonio Gabica, 9-8


PUERTO PRINCESA CITY---WU Chia-Ching of Taiwan overcame a bad start to come from behind and win over fellow double world champion (WPA 8ball and 9Ball Champion)Ralf Souquet of Germany, 9-8, in the semifinals of the Puerto Princesa Mayor's Cup, the second leg of Philippine Pool Tour here at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum on Sunday.

The 19-year-old cue artist from Taipei was set to battle late Sunday the winner of the match between 1st leg Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup PPT runner-up Marlon Manalo and reigning Philippine Junior champion Jericho Banares for the top prize of US$10,000 or roughly P440,000 in the Finals yesterday of the event presented by San Miguel Beer organized by the Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines in partnership with Star Billiards Center and Raya Sports, and hosted by Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn in close cooperation with city information officer Alroben Goh.

Barely making the semifinals after a grueling and tense 9-8 squeaker over Marlon Manalo, Wu, the 19-year-old sensation, found himself pushed to the wall in yet another down-to-the-wire encounter against one of the best in the business.

He was trailing 2-5, but worked his way to get back. He pocketed the blue 10 while breaking in the 12th rack to tie the count at 6-all. The Taiwanese big shot took care of the next two racks to move closer from wrapping the game up in this event organized by the Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines in partnership with Star Billiards Center and Raya Sports, and supported by San Miguel Beer, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn and city information officer Alroben Goh.

But Souquet had other things in mind. Coming off an easy 9-3 demolition of first leg winner Gaga Gabica, Souquet had to fight back before forging an 8-8 deadlock. He appeared to have the match in his control, but had a bad break in the 17th and final rack as he scratched the cue ball, allowing Wu to clean up the table.

"Just like last night, I started slow, but I took it one rack at a time," said Hans Lu, owner of Pool Fusion Billiards Hall and interpreter of Wu.

Wu will be facing the winner of the other knockout semis match between Manalo and reigning national junior champion Jericho Bañares being played as of press time.

Studio 23 will air the semis and finals match of this event on Sunday, June 29 at 1 p.m. For latest photos of this event, visit www.rayasports.com

Both Wu and Banares, 18, from Antipolo City advance to the semi-finals after burning their respective opponents late Saturday night.

The two youthful players hurdled past the inaugural leg winner Antonio Gabica and Manalo – to become the early semifinalist. Souquet and Manalo, on the other hand booked their seat in the final four via back door.

Souquet trounced Gabica, 9-3, in the loser's side on Sunday while Manalo edged current world junior title-holder Ko Pin-Yi of Taiwan, 9-7.

How Banares beat Cebu Gabica for the final four late Saturday

Bañares repulsed a late charge by first leg champion Gabica to preserve a 9-8 win.

Banares led 8-5, but found himself threatened by a spirited assault by the former Asian Games gold medalist. In the crucial exchange during the final minutes of the match, Gabica missed by a hairline, a difficult rail-first shot of the one-ball to a corner pocket, leaving an opening for Banares. The latter quickly went to work to exact revenge against the man who has defeated him in the Mandaluyong tournament.

"Medyo minalas din siya nu'ng huli," said Bañares. "Ako naman, maganda ang placing ko sa bola and medyo sinuwerte rin. Pero ang totoo, talagang kinakabahan ako sa laban kay Gaga."

Wu also walked the tightrope before pulling off a come-from-behind victory.
Trailing 6-8, the Taiwanese sensation got a big break when the former Asian Snooker titlist couldn't get a better view of the blue 2. Manalo misplaced the No.2 then allowed Wu to set up a combination for the 2 and 10.

In the next two racks, Wu used his good breaking, setting up all balls for a good shot and cleaning up the table to complete the rally.

"I'm not pressured at the game, I'm more pressured on myself because I missed a lot of shot," said Hans Lu, owner of Pool Fusion Billiards Hall and interpreter of Wu.

On the road's to the final four

On the road's to the final four, Banares toppled Gerry Watson of Canada, 9-2, Leonardo Andam, 9-2, and Symons Courtney of Thailand, 9-5, while Wu subdued Arturo Palma, 9-3, Augusto Boots, 9-2, compatriot Ko, 9-7, on Saturday.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO