Hohmann nips buddy Souquet, captures Philippine Open crown

Compatriots and bosom buddies Thorsten Hohmann and Ralf Souquet battled it out in a classic finale of the Philippine Open Pool men’s championship on Monday at the SM Megamall. The two German former world champions, who were both seeking their first-ever championship on Philippine soil, pushed each other to the limit, all the way to the 21st and final rack. In the end, Hohmann got the better of the match and claimed this year’s championship in a nail-bitter of an encounter, 11-10. So the player who wasn’t supposed to join this WPA event wound up victorious, capping an interesting story in itself.

“I came all the way from Florida and arrived here midnight before the tournament," said Hohmann. “I was included in the roster of players to compete here, but informed them that I cannot compete because I already have a commitment to play in the United States where I will do an exhibition." “But my sponsor called me up and said the organizers in the US were not communicating with them regarding the exhibition, so they asked me if I can call up the organizers of the Philippine Open and see if I can still compete there, but there was no spot available. Luckily, one of the competitors, Ruslan Chinakhov of Russia, got ill and I was included. This victory was really meant to be," added Hohmann. Unlike in their first match in the quarterfinals where Hohmann was beaten soundly by Souqet, 9-2, the younger yet more determined player who is now based in Jacksonville, Florida dictated the tempo early. He led 4-1 and was about to break the game wide open. But Souquet turned the match into a see-saw battle and set up an exciting windup in this event also supported by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines. Souquet won four of the next five racks to level the score for the first time, 5-all, capped by a spectacular long bank shot that pocketed the 1 and 10 balls. Both players battled to a standstill until the last two racks. Souquet was the first to reach the hill following a dry break by Hohmann, and the veteran player was able to capitalize and ran out the remaining balls for a 10-9 lead. The German ace had a chance to close out the match in the 20th rack. Off the break, he sank ball No. 3 and had no problem sinking the No.1. But just when Souquet was about to deliver the knockout blow, the usually cool and calculating player missed the No. 2 on the corner. His shot was too thin on the cut, allowing Hohmann a chance to equalize. And equalize Hohmann did, sending the match to the final rack. Hohmann sank balls No. 4 and 8 off the break, then came up with a nifty bank shot on No.1. He had no problem sinking the remaining balls for the win. The first time is always the sweetest For Hohmann, the first time is always the sweetest. “Winning the World Pool Championship in Cardiff, Wales was the sweetest thing for me, and I won several other events the first time, but nothing is more special than winning my first championship in Manila," said Hohmann. “Everyone wants to win a championship here because it is here where pool is at home. This is really a dream come true for me." Hohmann has had his share of bitter runner-up finishes in the Philippines, including in the World Cup of Pool where he and Souquet were beaten by the legendary tandem of Efren “Bata" Reyes and Francisco “Django" Bustamante. All this came to an end when he hoisted the championship trophy and pocketed the top prize of $30,000. Another sad tale for Souquet For the fourth time in his career, Ralf Souquet played in a finals match on Philippine soil. And for the fourth time, he came up short — and left frustrated. “I know Ralf is sad now," said Hohmann. “I know he wants to win very badly and I was expecting him to go all the way because he beat me convincingly when we met in the quarterfinal round and he was able to shut out Antonio Lining. I felt that he was in a zone." But it was not meant to be for Souquet. “I know his time will come and he will win a big one in the pool capital of the world. I’ve beaten him before in the German finals and now I was able to win over him again. It pains me when I beat Ralf because he’s my hero and that doesn’t take away the fact that he’s still the best player around," added Hohmann. Prior to his loss, Souquet was perfect in his last six games. Playing with a back and shoulder injury, the former World 8-Ball and 9-ball champion was able to showcase his fierce form on the table. He was able to give newly-crowned World 8-Ball champion Dennis Orcullo a sound beating, 9-2, in their last-16 match, then blanked Lining in their semifinal round encounter. But there's always a next time for Souquet, who will be back in Manila to compete in the World Ten Ball Championship along with Hohmann next month. - KY, GMA News