China team to watch in Asiad pool

China’s domination of two recent international billiards tournaments is a sign that it is fast becoming the biggest threat to the Philippines and Chinese-Taipei in the coming 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, on Nov. 12 to 27.

With a population of more than 1.2 billion, China has a huge field of pool talents.

Last Sept. 27, the Chinese cue artists, playing before a hometown crowd and displaying crack forms, swept the men’s and women’s singles titles in the China Open World 9-Ball Championship.

In men’s singles, China’s Zhang Yulong handily defeated Filipino veteran internationalist Antonio “Nickoy” Lining, 11-7, to pocket the $40,000 first prize money.

In the women’s singles, rising star Chen Siming upset former world titleholder Allison Fisher of Britain, 9-7, to bag the $26,000 winner’s purse.

Chen, by the way, learned the ropes of billiards under the tutelage of Chinese Taipei’s Wu Chia-ching, who won the World Pool 9-Ball Championship in 2005 when he was only 16.

Earlier last month, China’s hot-shooting tandem of Fu Jianbo and Li Hewen shot down the Philippines’ Dennis Orcollo and Roberto Gomez, 9-5, in the finals of the 2010 World Cup of Pool staged at Robinsons Place in Ermita, Manila.

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Based on China’s recent performances, plus the all-out support of its government, the Philippines and Chinese-Taipei could very well find their golden task truly formidable in the Guangzhou Asiad.

The Philippines will be bannered by four reigning and former world champions, namely Francisco “Django” Bustamante, who topped the 2010 World Pool 9-Ball Championship in Qatar; Ronnie Alcano (2006 in Manila); Alex Pagulayan (2004 in Taipei), and the fabled Efren “Bata” Reyes (1999 in Cardiff, Wales).

Also in the RP team are snooker specialist Marlon Manalo, former world No. 1 player Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez, Warren Kiamco, Rodolfo Luat, Reynaldo Grandea, Benjamin Guevarra Jr. and Alvin Barbero, and female entries Rubilen Amit, Iris Rañola and Mary Ann Basas.

On the other hand, Chinese-Taipei is banking on similarly battle-tested players. A powerhouse in Asian billiards, Chinese-Taipei has produced several billiards greats, among them Yang Ching-shun, the money-game king; Wu, the pool prodigy from Taishang County of Taipei; and former two-time world junior champion Pin Yi-ko.

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Who are the country’s leading horse owners? According to Nancy Leongson of the Philippine Racing Commission, sports patron Aristeo “Putch” Puyat leads the pack with earnings of P9,189,346.47 on 60 first-place finishes. Businessman JA Lapus is second with P9,041,363.56 on 58 first-place races.

But it was sportsman Hermie Esguerra who made the biggest leap by taking over third place with P6,945,087.58, behind 45 first places. Esguerra, who did not join major stakes races early this year, was previously listed only 33rd by the Philracom.

Other top earners: (4) AG De Ubago Jr., P5,160,305.95; (5) Benhur Abalos, P5,081,093.70; (6) LM Naval, P4,802,963.94;  (7) FG Lim, P4,756,725.20; (8) JC Molina  Jr., P4,661,707.75; (9) JC Dyhengco, P4,378,317.46; and (10) BC Niles Jr., P4,032,145.49.