FILIPINO Roberto Gomez rebounded from a lackluster first session of 6 minutes and 43 seconds with a run of 5:21 in the second five-rack session for a total qualifying round time of 12:04 and boost his chances for a seat in the Top 32 in the Guinness World Series of Pool: Speed Challenge at the Ciputra World Mall in Surabaya, Indonesia, on Saturday.
Reigning world 8-ball champion sizzled in the first session with a time of 4:41, upstaging compatriots Jeffrey De Luna (5:20) and Gomez, losing finalist in the 2007 Manila World 9-Ball Championship, on Friday.
Gomez took the challenge in stride and through keen observation of the playing style from Friday’s top performers, Britain’s Karl Boyes (4:24) and Chris Melling (4:20), the Filipino was able to make the necessary adjustments in his second session run.
With the worst five-rack times averaging in the high eight minutes, Gomez’ s time should be strong enough to carry him through to the next round.
Orcollo and De Luna, whose initial times belong in the top ten, have yet to take to the table for their second set of five-rack qualifiers. Both are in great position to enter the Top 32.