THE field in the 2nd World 10-Ball Championship is now down to the last 32 players, but surprise, surprise – 14 countries are still in the running for top honors. And anyone of their players could take home the world 10-ball title.
In a sharp departure from past WPA world championships, this year’s WTBC is not being dominated by the traditional powerhouses of pool. Great Britain, Germany, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines are still right up there. But so are China, Japan, France, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Indonesia and several other countries.
The one missing nation in the mix is the United States, whose remaining bets Johnny Archer, Charlie Williams and Oscar Dominguez were booted out in Saturday’s matches.
The big surprises are China and Japan, with three players each in the Last 32.
Li Hewen, Dang Jinhu and Wang Ming of China are showing that the new economic powerhouse can also wield a cue.
Satoshi Kawabata, Hayato Higikata and Naoyuki Ooi are finally proving that Japan is catching up with the world’s best in the sport. They all hurdled tough matches on Saturday to enter the Last 32.
On the other hand, traditional Asian powerhouse Chinese Taipei appears to have dropped a notch, at least in this world championship. The much-feared Yang Ching-Shun and Kuo Po-Cheng were booted out of the tournament in separate matches last night. Only former two-time world champion Chao Fong-pang and Chang Yu-Lung remain in the hunt.
Philippines Flexes Muscle
Host Philippines, on the other hand, flexed its muscle in the Round of 64. Eight Filipinos advanced to the Round of 32 despite a sluggish start and disappointing finish on Saturday.
Former national junior champion Jerico Banares got waylaid by former world 9-ball champion Thorsten Hohmann, 1-9, to become the first casualty in the money round.
Two-time world champion Ronnie Alcano and Asian Games gold medal winner Antonio Gabica were also shown the door by their foreign rivals in the night sessions.
But in between, the Filipinos were dominant. Antonio Lining opened the Filipinos’ account with a masterful 9-4 conquest of former US Open champion Corey Deuel of the United States.
The locals got rolling after that.
Jomar De Ocampo, easily the biggest surprise in the event, continued his remarkable run with an impressive 9-6 dismantling of Korean ace Jeong Young Hwa; Warren Kiamco outlasted Jalal Yousef of Venezuela, 9-8; Lee Vann Corteza held off Konstantin Stepanov of Russia, 9-7, in a TV table match; Marlon Manalo demolished Fu Jianbo of China, 9-4; Jundel Mazon escaped with a 9-8 win over Alain Martel of Canada; Elvis Calasang pulled away late in his 9-5 triumph over Markus Juva of Finland; and Dennis Orcollo routed Oscar Dominguez of the United States, 9-2.
Europe Coming Up Strong
But Europe showed that it is in dead earnest about retaining the world 10-ball title this year.
Imram Majid of Great Britain set the tone by rallying from a 1-5 hole to defeat double-world champion Ronnie Alcano, 9-5.
David Alcaide of Spain also spoiled the hometown celebration by edging Antonio Gabica, 9-8, in a thriller that had viewers commenting that the Spaniard could go far in the tournament.
Great Britain is leading the way for Europe with four players in the last 32: defending champion Darren Appleton, 2007 world 9-ball champion Daryl Peach, Jonni Fulcher and Majid.
Germany has a formidable cast of three players remaining: world No. 1 Ralf Souquet, former world 9-ball champion Thorsten Hohmann, and Thomas Engert.
The other countries represented in the Last 32 are Finland (Mika Immonen), Sweden (Marcus Chamat), Netherlands (Nick van den Berg), Russia (Ruslan Chinakhov), Spain (Alcaide), Indonesia (Alwi), Vietnam (Nguyen Anh Than), Czech Republic (Roman Hybler) and France (Stephan Cohen).
