Top Filipino Cue Artists advance in Predator International 10-Ball Event

Efren Reyes (File photo courtesy of Mike Fieldhammer)

The heavyweights of Philippine billiards continued to roll, with emphatic victories in the on-going 10th Annual Predator International 10-Ball Championship being held at the SM North Edsa in Quezon City, Philippines.

Efren “Bata” Reyes outplayed Jason Klatt of Canada 8-5, Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza edged Shane “The South Dakota Kid” Van Boening of the United States 8-7, Antonio “Nickoy” Lining ousted Charlie Williams of the USA 8-3, Jeffrey “The Bull” de Luna nipped Corey “The Prince” Deuel of the USA, 8-4 Carlo ”Cool” Biado eliminated countryman Jech Limen 8-3, and  Elvis Calasang survived dangerous compatriot Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo 8-4, in the do-or-die match of the loser's side.

Warren “Warrior” Kiamco who earlier beat Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 8-7, dealt Ricky “Bai” Zerna an 8-4 loss to progress in the event.

It was not all roses for Team Philippines though as little-known Emil Martinez lost to John Morra of Canada 8-3.

Reyes, Corteza, Kiamco, Lining, de Luna, Biado, Calasang and Morra enter into the last 16 knock-out stage via the one loss side to join early qualifiers from the winner's bracket that includes defending Predator 10-ball champion Dennis "Robocop" Orcullo, Ronato “Volcano” Alcano, Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, Roberto "Pinoy Superman" Gomez, Rodney "Rocket" Morris of the USA, Jundel Mazon and Mika "The Iceman" Immonen of Finland, the 2009 World Ten-Ball Champion.