Immonen falls

FILIPINO TOP guns Dennis Orcollo and Ronnie Alcano continued their stirring runs with lopsided victories yesterday in a WPA World Ten-Ball Championship that was thrown wide open with the ouster of defending champion Mika Immonen at the World Trade Center.

Orcollo, the reigning World 8-ball titlist, overwhelmed Mario Morra of Canada, 9-4, to reach the last 32, while Alcano, the former double world champion, flashed his old ruthless form to turn back compatriot Demothenes Pulpul, 9-2.

“I feel good about my game, especially my breaks,” said Alcano, whose performance dipped after winning the world titles in 9-ball and 8-ball in the space of less than six months four years ago.

The two Filipinos were joined in the final 32 by upstart Carlo Biado, who toppled countryman Roberto Gomez, 9-6, and former World 10-ball losing finalist Lee Van Corteza, who ousted Lu Hui Chan of Chinese-Taipei, 9-5.

Immonen got the ax from Tomoo Takano of Japan, a survivor of the five-day qualifying event which produced 10 final slots to the tournament.

Takano prevailed, 9-7, after Immonen missed an easy shot on the orange-five.

Biado, who enjoyed a solid run in the Philippine Open 10-Ball Championship last month, refused to wilt despite falling into an early 0-3 hole, winning the fourth to eighth rack to seize control.

A former caddie, the 27-year-old Biado was rewarded with a last 32 date with Alcano, who raced to a 7-0 lead against Pulpul.

Antonio Gabica, the former Asian Games gold medalist, absorbed a heart-breaking 8-9 loss to unheralded Manuel Pereira of Portugal.

Gabica’s loss stung the most.

Already on the hill in the 15th rack, Gabica lost a safety battle before  Pereira broke and ran out the last two frames.