No time to be ‘gentle’ as Souquet sideswipes lady foe in Ten Ball meet

MANILA, Philippines – Ralf Souquet is known to be a fine gentleman. But when he gets to the billiard table, the world’s No.1 player is ready to sideswipe even the prettiest female competitor in the 64-player field. This the German ace showed when he nearly swept past Jasmin Ouschan of Austria, the world’s top-ranked lady player, 9-1, for a strong start in the Philippine Open Ten Ball Championship at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2 on Wednesday. While Souquet clinically demolished Ouschan, former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Victor Arpilleda of host Philippines pulled off the day’s biggest upset when he bundled out touted American Corey Deuel, 9-7. A double world champion, Souquet went all business against the 23-year-old lass from Austria, killing her bid with precise pocketing and patient placing to earn a berth in the round-of-32 in this first WPA ranking event for the year. “I went out there thinking that I am playing her as one of the big boys in the tournament," said Souquet, who has won world titles in both 9-Ball and 8-Ball “But the toughness of the game won’t reflect on the final score. I was more patient and it showed in this game. There are days like this one, but Jasmin is obviously one of the best players in the world." Souquet didn’t let up from start to finish. He raced to an early 8-0 lead and was poised to sweep the match until the Austrian lass found a slim opportunity in the ninth rack to grab her first – and eventually last - point before the German ace put on the finishing touches in the next rack. The giant-killing Arpilleda together with local bets Mario Tolentino and Demosthenes Pulpul advanced in the winners bracket. Tolentino bucked a slow start but came from behind to beat snooker player Ernesto Dominguez, 9-6, while Pulpul, last year’s semifinalist in the World Ten Ball Championship in Manila, whipped compatriot Elvis Calasang, 9-3. – GMANews.TV