World No.1 Lining booted out, but 6 Pinoys advance in Ten Ball tilt

There’s good and bad news for Filipino pool fans. First, the good news: Filipino pool players who have entered the knockout, last 64 stage of the World Ten Ball Championship have increased to 11 as six local bets won their respective do-or-die matches on Thursday at the World Trade Center. The bad news: Antonio Lining, the world’s No.1 player, has been booted out and joined the other casualties in this World Pool-Billiard Association event. Young turks Jonas Magpantay, Carlo Biado, Demosthenes Pulpul, Jericho Banares and Marvin Tapia pulled off contrasting victories even as veteran Antonio Gabica went through the proverbial eye of the needle before advancing to the next round. Magpantay, the youngest Filipino participant at the age of 17, edged Carlos Cabello of Spain, 9-7. The pride of Rosario, Batangas took advantage of a miscalculated safety shot by his Spanish foe in the 16th rack. That allowed Magpantay to get back at the table and dispose off the remaining balls to notch the win, a win that assured him of his biggest paycheck yet of $1,000. “Pinanood ko siya kahapon (Wednesday) at sa tingin ko naman, kaya ko siya," said Magpantay, a player who earned his spot in the WTBC bi virtue of his solid performance in the qualifying stage matches last week. “May mga pagkakataon lang na sumosobra yung kumpiyansa ko." That case of overconfidence nearly backfired for Magpantay, a first time competitor in this big event, as his 2-0 lead has quickly evaporated. At one point, the young player found himself trailing, 7-6. But Magpantay won three of the next four racks to formalize his entry to the next round. The biggest show stealer among the Filipinos were undoubtedly Biado and Pulpul. Biado, a former caddie in a local golf course, outlasted Lining, 9-6, in an interesting showdown. The 27-year-old native of Rosario, La Union pounced on Lining’s inconsistent pocketing. A kicked shot at the No.4 tghat went in the corner pocket capped Biado’s magical run in this tournament and earned him his first ever last 64 seat of this biggest world pool event for men this year. “Konti lang yung pressure ko kasi kalahi rin naman yung kalaban ko sa knockout stage," said Biado. “Pero sa tingin ko, mas maganda pa rin yung nilalaro ko sa Philippine Open kumpara dito." Biado made it to the quarterfinals of the Philippine Open won by Thorsten Hohmann of Germany. Pulpul was likewise impressive. He brought down newly-crowned Beijing Open champion Chang Jung Lin of Chinese Taipei, 9-5. A semifinalist of the inaugural staging of this event in 2008, Pulpul had to earn his spot this year via the qualifying stage matches at the Star Billiards Center. Given the opportunity, he preserved his best in the knockout match against Chang, a veteran campaigner of so many world pool championships. “Lamang siya (Chang) sa akin sa experience, pero kailangan lang talaga masigla ako kada laban kasi may araw na matamlay ako. Medyo maganda ang kundisyon ko ngayon (Thursday)," said Pulpul. Pulpul, who is now based in Dubai working in a night club, is currently on a vacation, but opted to participate in the World Ten Ball Championship to improve his world ranking. Gabica, Banares and Tapia also made it to the next round in contrasting fashion. A former Asian Games gold medalist, Gabica survived a crack opponent in Li Hewen, 9-7, to make it to the last 64. Banares also went through some scary moments before nipping compatriot Joven Alba, 9-8. Tapia, on the other hand, easily dismantled Ruben Cuna, 9-1. The six Pinoys joined five other local bets who made it to the last 64 a day earlier. On Wednesday, Filipino world champions Dennis Orcullo and Ronnie Alcano, Jeff de Luna, Roberto Gomez and Vicencio Taino were the first wave of Pinoy bets who made it to the last 64. “Mga one-and-a-half years din akong nawala sa Pilipinas kaya nga ang ginawa ko dumaan ako sa qualifying stage ng World Ten Ball," said Gabica. “Masaya naman ako na nakabalik dito kasi sa Qatar, wala akong makalaban na mga world champions. Objective ko is kung hanggang saan lang ako aabot, masaya na ako kasi boundary na ako dito." Gabica and Li engaged themselves in a tightly-fought match until the final rack. After Gabica ran out the 15th rack, the Filipino had a dry break in the next rack. Li made the No.1, but missed on the No.2. Both players took their turn in missing the No.2, the last one was a combo shot by the Chinese cue artist. It gave Gabica a better angle at the No.2 and he responded by cleaning the remaining balls for the win. Like Gabica, Banares also battled his opponent toe-to-toe. “First time ko siya nakalaban kaya nahirapan din ako," said Banares, the 2008 National Junior champion. Banares, a native of Tanauan, Batangas, who transferred to Antipolo City, will advance to the knockout stage of this tournament for the third straight time. “Simula 2008, suwerte akong nakakapasok sa round-of-64 ng World Ten Ball," said the 21-year-old Banares, whose last 16 stint in the inaugural staging of this event three years ago earned him $4,500, the biggest paycheck in his young career. - GMA News