Reyes flashes mean form, ousts Orcollo
MANILA, Philippines—Former world champion Efren “Bata” Reyes summoned his old, fiery form to dethrone Dennis Orcollo with a masterful 9-4 triumph Friday at the start of the knockout stage of the 10th Annual Predator International 10-Ball Championship in Quezon City.
Reyes hardly allowed Orcollo to get settled on the TV table as he snared the first quarterfinal berth with a dominant performance before a huge crowd at The Block at SM North Edsa.
Reyes’ sharp form paled in comparison to his performance in the World Cup of Pool where he and partner Francisco “Django” Bustamante crashed out in the second round to an unheralded Indonesian pair.
Easily the most recognizable figure in Philippine billiards, the 56-year-old Reyes seized control by winning six straight racks after yielding two of the first three frames to Orcollo, who ruled the event in Las Vegas last year.
“I was quite lucky the rolls were going my way,” said Reyes, who befuddled Orcollo with a wide array of safety shots, the last leading to an Orcollo foul and an easy runout in the 13th rack.
All quarterfinalists are already assured of $1,600 (about P71,000).
Reyes was scheduled to face compatriot Jeff de Luna last night. Notorious for faltering in big tournaments, De Luna showed his readiness to win a major crown by nipping former world champion Alex Pagulayan, 9-8, in the round of 16. Antonio Lining was equally impressive as he stunned World No. 1 Mika Immonen of Finland, 9-3, to also reach the last eight of the tournament that stakes $10,000 to the champion. Lining raced to a 5-0 lead and the long-time campaigner in the Japan pro tour said that gave him enough confidence to finish off the Finnish ace, who broke Filipino hearts last year when he toppled Lee Van Corteza in the World 10-Ball Championship finals. “I think I caught him on a rare off-day,” said Lining, who will face Corteza in a quarterfinal duel set to be played last night. Corteza overcame Guinness World Series champion Jundel Mazon, 9-5, in a battle of standouts belonging to the Negros Billiard Stable. Immonen’s ouster left American Roger Morris as the only remaining foreign player standing. Morris squeaked past Canada’s John Mora, 9-8, earlier. He was playing Warren Kiamco as of presstime. Kiamco repulsed Ramil Gallego, 9-8. The Philippines is also assured of a semifinalist in the lower half of the draw, where Carlo Biado came from behind to shock former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, 9-8. Biado was to battle Roberto Gomez last night after the 2007 World Pool Championship losing finalist edged Elvis Calasang, 9-7, in their round of 16 duel.
Reyes was scheduled to face compatriot Jeff de Luna last night. Notorious for faltering in big tournaments, De Luna showed his readiness to win a major crown by nipping former world champion Alex Pagulayan, 9-8, in the round of 16. Antonio Lining was equally impressive as he stunned World No. 1 Mika Immonen of Finland, 9-3, to also reach the last eight of the tournament that stakes $10,000 to the champion. Lining raced to a 5-0 lead and the long-time campaigner in the Japan pro tour said that gave him enough confidence to finish off the Finnish ace, who broke Filipino hearts last year when he toppled Lee Van Corteza in the World 10-Ball Championship finals. “I think I caught him on a rare off-day,” said Lining, who will face Corteza in a quarterfinal duel set to be played last night. Corteza overcame Guinness World Series champion Jundel Mazon, 9-5, in a battle of standouts belonging to the Negros Billiard Stable. Immonen’s ouster left American Roger Morris as the only remaining foreign player standing. Morris squeaked past Canada’s John Mora, 9-8, earlier. He was playing Warren Kiamco as of presstime. Kiamco repulsed Ramil Gallego, 9-8. The Philippines is also assured of a semifinalist in the lower half of the draw, where Carlo Biado came from behind to shock former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, 9-8. Biado was to battle Roberto Gomez last night after the 2007 World Pool Championship losing finalist edged Elvis Calasang, 9-7, in their round of 16 duel.
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