Reyes books finals berth, faces Pulpul

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Efren “Bata” Reyes showed brilliant form in disposing of journeyman Benjie Guevarra, 9-6, even as controversy rocked the other semifinals match between World No. 7 Carlo Biado and Demosthenes Pulpul in the MP (Manny Pacquiao) Cup Philippine Open 10-Ball billiards championship Friday night here.

Reyes, the living legend of Philippine billiards, was in his element, scoring a fast kill over his overmatched opponent by sinking the 10 on a combination shot in the 15th match to barge into the finals.

In stark contrast was Biado’s sorry loss to the unheralded Pulpul, who won via technicality after Biado failed to declare his shot on the last ball of the 17th and final game. Biado sank an obvious 10 ball shot in the left side pocket. He was so excited with the “gimme” shot that he failed to indicate where he would sink the last ball, leapt with joy only to realize his booboo seconds later.

The rules infraction allowed Pulpul, a native of Cagayan de Oro, to sink the winner on a ball-in-hand shot. It was another half victory for Pulpul, who also won similarly on a rule infraction in the round-of-32 against Roberto Gomez.

Reyes and Pulpul were still playing for the title in a race-to-11 finale. Pulpul was ahead, 2-0.

Reyes, still sharp and composed at 60, blasted the 32-year-old Oliver Medenilla, 9-8, in a riveting quarterfinals knockout match that had a few hundred spectators clapping and gasping in awe at SM City Mall.

Reyes’ road to the semis was strewn with great challenges, beating Jerome Adolfo, Horace Angor, American Rodney Morris, his best friend Francisco “Django” Bustamante, John Morra of Canada and Medenilla.

The 31-year-old Biado, who moved up to seventh in the current world standings, reached the semifinals after beating Canadian Alex Pagulayan, 9-3, in the other quarterfinals match.

Reyes and Pulpul are gunning for the $13,000 top prize out of the $50,000 prize fund put up by Congressman and eight-time, eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao, who will celebrate his 36th birthday this week, has added another $100,000 to the doubles event commencing on Saturday.