Tuesday, November 07, 2006 Ex high school king books finals seat
DESPITE failing to defend his high school crown this year, Marvin Gentapaya has another shot at a title after forging a finals play date against Daryl Abaquita in Class B of the 2006 Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge at the pool hall of the Gaisano Bowl-ingplex in Banilad.
Gentapaya, a 16-year-old cue artist from the University of Visayas, defeated Mark Gregg Gestopa of the Bangkal National High School, 8-5 to move to the finals.
Still, like Gentapaya, Gestopa has a chance for another crown as he booked a seat in the high school finals after defeating Christian Llenos, 7-0, last Sunday, while Gentapaya lost to Dario Vidal.
The 27-year-old Abaquita of Cebu City, on the other hand, blanked Noel Causing of Bacolod City, 8-0, to take the other finals slot.
Abaquita played a lot of safeties in his win and also pulled a trick shot in the seventh rack and closed the game with a two and nine combo.
Unlucky
“Malas, my shots just missed the holes,” said Causing, who knocked out veteran Victor Quijano in the round of 16.
Quijano, who defeated 2006 Philippine 9-Ball Open Qualifier Antonio Cusi of Ormoc City in the round of 32, had a 3-0 lead in their match when he unexpectedly missed the nine-ball in the side pocket.
“The momentum was already there but things collapsed in the rest of the racks,” said Quijano of Causing’s victory. On their way to the final four, Abaquita knocked out Neil Cortes (7-2) in the round of 32, Joel Malaki (7-6) in the round of 16, Jurlic Tabunag of Kidapawan City (8-2) in the round of eight.
Gentapaya ousted Tata Carreon (7-6) in the round of 32, Maxwell Bernadez (7-6) in the round of 16 and Ernest “The Champ” Rosco (8-4) in the round of eight.
The finals of the high school and Class B divisions will be played on Sunday at the SM City, where the Class A division will also be held.
“We will be expecting the top pool masters of the country,” said tournament official Benedict Ramirez. (JAF)
