|
Monday, July 07, 2003
Iceman freezes Ralf
By PATRICK C. COSTELO
Sun.Star Correspondent
“THE Iceman” Mika Imonnen kept his cool even on the grill, decisively moving past Ralph Souquet in one of the most dramatic billiard finals to rack up the “On Cue!” RP vs. Europe 9-Ball Showdown last night at The Loop Entertainment Center at the ABS-CBN Compund in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, Efren “Bata” Reyes settled for the third place as he downed compatriot Warren Kiamco in the race-to-11 battle for third as the two took $5,000 and $3,000, respectively, for the third and fourth spots of the five-day event.
The race-to-13 championship match saw both players refuse to yield, highlighting the game with 12 deadlocks despite some unlucky cue ball positions.
The all-Europe final saw two of the greatest of the game, with World Pool Association No.1 Imonnen and No.2 Souquet, in an awesome display of patience, control and battle of safety shots throughout.
Souquet had the first break, which allowed him to constantly stay on top by one rack until the 13th rack where Imonnen took the lead at 7-6.
After a 10-all deadheat, Soquet felt the constant pressure of Imonnen on the hound but continued to repulse the younger cue master until he scratched on the break at the 23rd rack, which gave Imonnen a 12-11 lead.
Imonnen had a chance to finish the match earlier on the 24th rack, but failed to sink the two-ball in the left corner pocket. Souquet also committed a crucial error as he failed to gain good position on the nine-ball.
Imonnen then committed another mistake as he failed to drop the nine on the upper left corner pocket, which Souquet gladly seized to tie the game at 12 racks apiece, and get the chance to win the championship as he had his turn to break the 25th rack.
Sinking the eight- and five-ball off the break, Souquet had another positioning error after sinking the three-ball off a difficult masé to the corner.
He attempted a jump shot for the four but hit the six instead giving Imonnen ball-in-hand and eventually the easy finish for the $15,000 top purse.
Souquet received $10,000 for the runner-up finish in the tournament that served as tune-up for the July 12 World Pool Championship in Cardiff, Wales. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
