From l to r: Ramil Gallego and Wang Ming
WANG Ming of China and Ramil Gallego of the Philippines took top honors on Thursday in the first two qualifiers of the 2nd World Ten Ball Championship at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City.
Wang beat compatriot Dang Jinhu 9-8 to book a seat in the main draw (Stage 2) of the WTBC. In addition, he was awarded the qualifier purse of $500.
Qualifier 1 was a stunner as the 10-man Chinese contingent took all four places in the semifinals, outlasting entries from Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, India, France and Great Britain. The other Chinese semifinalists were Dai Yung and Guo Hoa.
In Qualifier 2, it was the turn of host Philippines to dominate. Ramil Gallego, Roberto Gomez, Arnel Bautista and Rodrigo Geronimo took all the places in the Final Four.
In the finals, international veteran Gallego hurdled past former WPC runner-up Roberto Gomez, 9-7, to take the WTBC spot and the qualifier prize of $500.
Action continues today Friday, with Qualifiers 3 and 4 up for competition.
