INQUIRER Sports

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines?Local pool idol Ramil ?Bebeng? Gallego capitalized on a hot start to thwart Joven Bustamante, 11-7, on Saturday and barge into the semifinals of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg at the Garden Royal function hall of the Goldenfields Commercial Complex.

The 42-year-old Gallego, who hails from Barangay Estefania here, built a 7-1 spread, allowed Bustamante to take the next two racks before reaching the hill on a run out.

Though Bustamante swept the next four racks, including a golden break on the 16th frame, he fell short after a dry break which allowed Gallego to clean up and bolster his bid to become the first double leg winner of the island-hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine sports.

Gallego, a regular campaigner in the Japan tour who has learned to speak Japanese, also topped the inaugural Bulacan leg of the event organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines.

Assured of at least $2,500 for reaching the semis of the $37,800 tournament, Gallego will meet the winner of the quarterfinal duel pitting former world champions Efren ?Bata? Reyes and Kunihiko Takahashi at presstime last night.

Reyes, the 1999 World 9-ball titlist, clawed back from a 0-4 hole to subdue teen sensation Johann ?Bubwit? Chua, 11-6, while Takahashi downed hometown bet Eduardo Villanueva, 11-5, in the round of 16 Friday night.

Another featured last 16 encounter saw Cebu leg titlist and former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle frustrate Lee Van Corteza, 11-10, anew and forge a quarterfinal duel with veteran internationalist Roberto Luat.

Sustaining the fiery form that enabled him to topple current World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, 11-7, in the opening round, Luat also stunned former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, 11-6, in the round of 16 of the event being supported by Camella Communities and the Bacolod City government headed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

The last semifinal slot will be contested by qualifiers Michael Feliciano and Ronnie Aying also last night.

Earlier, Gallego trounced Japanese Kenji Taguchi, 11-5, duplicating Bustamante?s score against Elmer Haya in the round of 16.

Feliciano repulsed John Rebong, 11-9, while Aying, who hails from Davao, nipped former world No. 1 Francisco ?Django? Bustamante, 11-10.