MANILA, PHILIPPINES---Mario Tolentino and Demosthenes Pulpul trounced their second round foes to boost their bids in the inaugural Philippine Open (Ten Ball) Pool Championship Wednesday at the SM Megamall (Megatrade Hall 2) in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.
Tolentino, a habitué of famous Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City which is owned by long-time billiards patron Sebastian “Baste” Chua, president of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP), shocked WPA world No.1 player Ralf Souquet of Germany, 9-6, while Pulpul, a semi-finalists in the 2008 World Ten Ball Championships defeated Kok Hon Keong of Singapore, 9-4, to set up their third round meeting. Tolentino dealt Ernesto Dominguez of Mexico, 9-6, while Pulpul demolished countryman Elvis Calasang, 9-3 in the first round of play.
US Open Women's champion Kelly Fisher of Great Britain also remains unbeaten after beating former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Victor Arpilleda, 9-7 in the second round. Fisher, a 9-7 winner over Timo Makela of Finland in the opener will face the winner of the match between Gabe Owen of the United States and Jonni Fulcher of the Great Britain. Owen downed Toh Lian Han of Singapore, 9-8, while Fulcher crushed Jerico Banares, 9-2.
Meanwhile, Marlon Manalo, Jeffrey De Luna, Antonio Gabica, Resty Labastida, Leonardo Didal and Jestoni Magada kept the Filipino flag flying high after winning their first round assignments.
Manalo, a native of this city clipped Melissa Little of the United States, 9-2, De Luna edged compatriot Elmer Kalaquian, 9-8, Gabica overpowered Oscar Dominguez of the United States, 9-3, Labastida upset Kim Hee Sup of Korea, Didal dealt Che Wei Fu of Chinese-Taipei, 9-9-4, and Magada whacked Ruslan Chinahov of Russia, 9-4.
Tolentino Beats Souquet; Pulpul Advances
May 27, 2009