Efren “Bata” Reyes and Django Bustamante PHOTO BY RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines—Efren “Bata” Reyes had a few tricks up his sleeve as he teamed up with another legend Django Bustamante in an 8-5 win over Canada to enter the quarterfinals of the 2012 Partypoker.net World Cup of Pool Thursday night.
Philippines completed a stunning comeback victory from 2-4 down amid an appreciative crowd in Robinsons Manila against Fil-Canadian Alex Pagulayan, who chose to represent Canada and pair up with John Morra.
A brilliant bank shot on the eight ball by Reyes followed up by an easy shot by Bustamante put the Philippines on the hill before pouncing on an error by Pagulayan in the ensuing rack to seal the win.
The duo of Filipino pool legends overcame a two-rack deficit to knot the match at 4-4, before playing a nip-and-tuck battle with each team getting a chance to go on top anew.
But the Filipinos never allowed the Canadians to go beyond their fifth point while racking up four straight points.
Mika Immonem and Petri Makkonen of Finland eliminated defending champion Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, 8-4, to also enter the quarterfinals.
The Finns pounced on errant breaking by the Germans, also securing four straight points to bundle out two of the top pool players in the world today.
Japan, meanwhile, advanced to the second round — which continues Friday at the same venue — with an 8-6 triumph over Russia.
Holland also didn’t back down when Croatia went on the hill and still ended up with the 7-4 win in the other round one match.
Italy nipped Vietnam, 8-7, while Poland tripped Australia, 8-6, to both advance to the second round.