by Marlon Bernardino
Veteran campaigner Marlon Manalo became the first Filipino to qualify in one of 12 qualifying event of the World Pool 9-Ball Championship at the Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday.
Manalo, the affable cue artist and chairman of Barangay Malamig in Mandaluyong City defeated Jasen Al Hasawi of Kuwait, 7-6, in the finals.
“I hope to perform well in the World Pool main draw.” said Manalo, who kept himself in shape by practicing daily in his own pool hall in Talumpung, Mandaluyong and famous Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City, hosted by long-time sports patron Sebastian "Baste" Chua.
Earlier, Manalo blasted Sultan Alfalih of Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, 7-0, in the pre quarters, compatriot Demosthenes Pulpul, 7-5, in the quarters and Mohammad Ali Hassan of Kingdom of Saudia Arabi, 7-0, in the semis.
Manalo advanced in the 128 player field main draw of the World Pool 9-Ball Championship. He will joined Filipino seeded players Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Lee Vann Corteza, Carlo Biado, Jeffrey de Luna, Israel Rota and Antonio Gabica, the national coach of Qatar.
Fondly called " Marvelous Captain" Manalo captivated the billiard circuit by clustering victories against noted pool sharks Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan and countrymen Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante in the knockout stage of the World Pool Championship in 2004. The following year, the 2000 Asian Snooker Champion and 2008 National Champion Manalo went all the way to the semifinals of the same event before bowing to eventual champion Wu Chia-ching (Wu Jia-qing).
Manalo local and international campaign are supported by his long-time benefactors Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos Jr., Rep. Neptali "Boyet" Gonzales II and Solar Sports head Ronald Tieng.
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