AFTER a semi-final finish in the just concluded second leg of Philippine Pool Tour dubbed as the Puerto Princesa Cup over the weekend at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum in Palawan, "Marvelous" Marlon Manalo is setting his sights on the forthcoming Qatar Open 9-Ball tournament set on June 29-July 5 at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation, Al Muntazah Road in Doha, Qatar.
The 30-year-old Mandaluyong native Manalo failed to advance in the championship's round of the Puerto Princesa Ten Ball bash after bowing to runner-up Jericho Bañares, the reigning RP junior champion, 8-9, in the final four. Double world champion (WPA 9 ball and 8 ball) Wu Chia-ching of Chinese-Taipei rules the said event after beating Bañares, 11-9, in the finals.
"Hindi talaga ukol 'yung Puerto Princesa Ten Ball Tour sa akin. Hope makabawi tayo dito sa Qatar World 9-Ball Open," said Manalo, who left the country yesterday, whose stint in Qatar are supported by Mandaluyong mayor Benhur Abalos and Philippine Billiards Development Foundation (PBDF).
Joining Manalo in the tournament proper of $150,000 event are Filipino pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, world No.1 Dennis Orcollo, reigning national champion Lee Vann Corteza, Warren Kiamco, 2007 Manny Pacquiao International 9-ball Open titlist Jeffrey De Luna and 2006 Doha Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica.
It shall be recalled that Gabica and Manalo, settled a strong 1-2 finish in the inaugural leg of Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup of Philippine Pool Tour.
Around 96 players will see action in this event. They will be divided into eight groups with 12 players each. They will play in a double elimination, alternate break, race-to-nine format.
A formidable cast of foreign participants from Europe and the United States will also compete. Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany and Johnny Archer and Shane Van Boening of the US are also the favorites in the tournament. Not to be outdone Taiwanese youth sensation Wu and compatriot Pin-Yi Ko, the reigning world junior champion.
All these players are already seeded in the tournament proper sanctioned by the World Pool Billiard Association (WPA) and Asian Pocket Billiard Union (APBU).
Cebu leg champion Gandy Valle, Ramil Gallego and snooker specialist Benjie Guevarra will participate in the stage one elimination on June 27. However, if another slot opens in the main draw, the Japan-based Gallego is the top priority.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
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