Souquet, Alcano stunned in WTBC opener
11/25/2009 | 07:25 PM
Ralf Souquet of Germany and Ronnie Alcano of the Philippines will definitely have a hard time winning a third world championship.
The two double-world titlists suffered stinging upset losses Wednesday at the start of the second World Ten Ball Championship at the World Trade Center, finding themselves in a must-win situation against their respective opponents in the loser’s bracket.
Thomasz Kaplan of Poland, who’s been playing against Souquet in the European circuit, came back from 2-6 down before prevailing over the German ace, 9-6, to advance to the winner’s side.
“It could happen to anybody, especially in our group where anybody could beat anybody," said Souquet. “He (Kaplan) was composed in coming back. I knew he’s capable of winning because I’ve faced him in the European circuit."
Alcano, champion of the World 9-Ball in 2006 and World 8-Ball in 2007, was also shocked in his bid by a player who made it to the tournament via the tough qualifying stage – Dang Jin Hu of China.
Dang dictated the match early, then held off Alcano in the endgame before prevailing, 9-7.
“Ganyan talaga eh, hindi puwedeng dalawa ang panalo," said Alcano, who will next face compatriot Demosthenes Pulpul in a knockout game Thursday.
Pulpul, last year’s surprised semifinalist, bowed to two-time world champion Johnny Archer of the United States, 7-9.
Another Filipino player, World No. 7 Jeff de Luna, suffered a sorry setback. De Luna, the highest-rated Pinoy in the event sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association, lost to Mehmet Cankurt of Turkey, 5-9.
But while Filipinos are falling one by one near elimination, an unknown local player stole the spotlight with a win, the same result achieved by notable cue artist Dennis Orcullo.
Jomar de Ocampo, a player who barged into the WTBC main draw via an exhausting qualifying stage, came from behind to nip highly-touted Wang Hung-Hsiang of Chinese-Taipei, 9-8.
It was a sweet victory for De Ocampo, who had to battle back from 4-8 down before pulling off an upset win.
Former world no. 1 Orcullo had an easier time against fellow Pinoy Steve Villamil, pulling off a 9-6 triumph.
Defending champion Darren Appleton of Great Britain started his title retention bid on a bright note by whipping Tey Choon Kiat of Singapore, 9-5.
Neils Feijen and Nick van den Berg, the Netherlands’ top-rated players, made short work of their respective rivals.
Feijen, ranked No. 3 in the world, scuttled Scott Higgins of Great Britain, 9-1, while Van den Berg had a similar rout of Kim Wong Dae of Korea to join his compatriot in the winner’s bracket.
Chinese-Taipei’s Kuo Po Cheng outplayed Matjaz Erculz of Slovenia, 9-4.
Former US Open champion Shane Van Boening of the United States was not as fortunate, falling prey to his less heralded opponent, Nguyen Anh Tuan, 8-9. - GMANews.TV
The two double-world titlists suffered stinging upset losses Wednesday at the start of the second World Ten Ball Championship at the World Trade Center, finding themselves in a must-win situation against their respective opponents in the loser’s bracket.
Ralf Souquet of Germany studies his next shot in the 2nd World Ten Ball Championship at the World Trade Center Wednesday. Jeff Venancio
Thomasz Kaplan of Poland, who’s been playing against Souquet in the European circuit, came back from 2-6 down before prevailing over the German ace, 9-6, to advance to the winner’s side.
“It could happen to anybody, especially in our group where anybody could beat anybody," said Souquet. “He (Kaplan) was composed in coming back. I knew he’s capable of winning because I’ve faced him in the European circuit."
Alcano, champion of the World 9-Ball in 2006 and World 8-Ball in 2007, was also shocked in his bid by a player who made it to the tournament via the tough qualifying stage – Dang Jin Hu of China.
Dang dictated the match early, then held off Alcano in the endgame before prevailing, 9-7.
“Ganyan talaga eh, hindi puwedeng dalawa ang panalo," said Alcano, who will next face compatriot Demosthenes Pulpul in a knockout game Thursday.
Pulpul, last year’s surprised semifinalist, bowed to two-time world champion Johnny Archer of the United States, 7-9.
Another Filipino player, World No. 7 Jeff de Luna, suffered a sorry setback. De Luna, the highest-rated Pinoy in the event sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association, lost to Mehmet Cankurt of Turkey, 5-9.
But while Filipinos are falling one by one near elimination, an unknown local player stole the spotlight with a win, the same result achieved by notable cue artist Dennis Orcullo.
Jomar de Ocampo, a player who barged into the WTBC main draw via an exhausting qualifying stage, came from behind to nip highly-touted Wang Hung-Hsiang of Chinese-Taipei, 9-8.
It was a sweet victory for De Ocampo, who had to battle back from 4-8 down before pulling off an upset win.
Dennis Orcullo of the Philippines lines up a jump shot in his match against compatriot Steve Villamil in the 2nd World Ten Ball Championship Wednesday at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. GMANews.TV
Former world no. 1 Orcullo had an easier time against fellow Pinoy Steve Villamil, pulling off a 9-6 triumph.
Defending champion Darren Appleton of Great Britain started his title retention bid on a bright note by whipping Tey Choon Kiat of Singapore, 9-5.
Neils Feijen and Nick van den Berg, the Netherlands’ top-rated players, made short work of their respective rivals.
Feijen, ranked No. 3 in the world, scuttled Scott Higgins of Great Britain, 9-1, while Van den Berg had a similar rout of Kim Wong Dae of Korea to join his compatriot in the winner’s bracket.
Chinese-Taipei’s Kuo Po Cheng outplayed Matjaz Erculz of Slovenia, 9-4.
Former US Open champion Shane Van Boening of the United States was not as fortunate, falling prey to his less heralded opponent, Nguyen Anh Tuan, 8-9. - GMANews.TV
