Phil Open: Zulfikri outlasts Rachmanto in all-Indonesian finale

Mohamad Zulfikri is headed to the main draw of the Philippine Open Pool Championship. Zulfikri upstaged Yoni Rachmanto in an all-Indonesian finals in Qualifier 6, 9-5, late Saturday night at the Star Billiards Center. Zulfikri took advantage of a crucial error by Rachmanto in the 12th rack. Trailing 6-5, Rachmanto had a golden opportunity to equalize but he scratched the cue ball while trying to sink in ball No. 10. From there, everything went Zulfikri’s way as he became the first Indonesian player to make it to the main draw via the qualifying stage. “I think that was the deciding factor," said Fulfikri, referring to the scratch made by his rival in the 12th rack. “But I would like to give emphasis on the factor made by my new cue stick, which I bought in Indonesia. Neither player refused to buckle down. Rachmanto missed an easy shot on the No. 9 to the side pocket and that allowed Zulfikri to shatter the game’s final deadlock at 5-all. After Rachmanto bungled the opportunity of forging another deadlock by scratching the cue ball in the 12th, he lost his composure and allowed his compatriot to take over from there. Meanwhile, the qualifying stage of the Philippine Open Pool Championship returns at the Star Billiards Center on Sunday as the women competitors begin their quest for a main draw seat. The men’s qualifying stage continues and it’s currently on its fourth day with four more spots up for grabs for the main draw. - Rey Joble, GMA News