RP teen pool wiz upsets German bet in 10-ball worlds

Oct 03

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GMA News

MANILA, Philippines – Jericho Bañares caught a big fish on his way to advancing in the World Pool Association-backed World 10-Ball Championship Wednesday at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Bañares defeated former world champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany 9-7 to book a seat in the 64-man knockout stage.

“I’d like to think that luck was on my side,” Bañares, who turns 19 Thursday, said. “I got the balls right where I wanted them to be and besides, I’ve played Hohmann before and I beat him.”

Bañares routed Hohmann in a Mandaluyong tournament earlier this year and it appeared that way again when the Filipino racked six straight wins to take a 6-2 lead.

Hohmann took advantage of a dry break by Bañares in the ninth table to start a four-rack streak and make it 6-all.

Ahead 8-7, Bañares cleaned up the 16th after a Hohmann off-angled safety shot.

Germany had reason to smile, however, after Ralf Souquet and Oliver Hortmann made it through the round of 64.

Bañares, the national juniors champion, joined Tuesday qualifiers Marlon Manalo, Victor Arpilleda, Demosthenes Pulpul and Leonardo Didal.

Among the RP casualties have been Florencio Banar and Elvis Calasang. After dropping their games Tuesday, Elmer Kalaquian and Mario Tolentino also bowed out.

Kalaquitan lost 9-6 to Wang Ming of China, while Tolentino fell 9-5 to Chang Lu-Yung of Chinese-Taipei.

Antonio Gabica, the reigning Asian Games champion, was also eliminated.

Lin Yuan-Chun of Chinese-Taipei, the women’s world 9-ball champion, was swept by Corey Deuel of the US 9-0.

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