Saturday, October 04, 2008
Pulpul in the limelight
THE WPA World Ten Ball Championship turned into a perfect venue to discover new heroes in the world of pool.
Yesterday at the Philippine International Convention Center, Lapu-Lapu City’s Demosthenes Pulpul, turned from being an unknown two days ago, to a someone, when he barged into the Round of 16 alongside another unknown Pinoy cue artist Leonardo Didal, following emphatic victories, which gained respect and admiration from their more illustrious counterparts.
Pulpul, who defeated in succession two big shots earlier in the competition—WPA top-ranked lady player Jasmin Ouschan of Austria and former two-time World 9-Ball champion Johnny Archer of the United States—added a Japanese veteran player, Kazuo Furuta, to his list of victims.
Pulpul won, 9-4, to advance to the next stage.
“Maingat kalaban si Furuta, pero sanay naman ako sa maingat na kalaban,” said Pulpul, who is also known as PlongPlong in local billiards circuit.
“Medyo nakakapag-relax na ako ngayon kaysa kahapon, pero kulang pa rin ako sa tulog,” added Pulpul, who will face Yang Shin Chung of Chinese Taipei in the next round.
Yang advanced to the next round in a dramatic come-from-behind fashion when he won over over Filipino Leonardo Didal.
The Taiwanese hotshot was trailing 6-8 but fought his way back and forced a tight battle, until finally outlasting Didal.
Reigning US Open 9-Ball champion Shane Van Boening on the other hand, continued his remarkable showing in the WTBC after hurdling past his compatriot Shaun Wilke, 9-6, to advance into the Round of 16.
Van Boening, who also won a 10-ball tournament in the US last year, came back from 0-4 deficit to win the round.
Other players making the Round of 16 are double world champion Wu Chia-ching of Chinese Taipei, reigning World 8-ball champ Ralf Souquet of Germany and Mika Immonen of Finland.
Wu upstaged Bruno Muratore of Italy, 9-6; Souquet whipped Vilmos Foldes of Hungary, 9-4; and Immonen outplayed reigning world junior champion Ko Pin Yi of Chinese Taipei, 9-6.
This event is organized by Raya Sports and presented by ESPN Star Sports, ABS-CBN, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Sofitel Hotel and Resorts, Federland, Metrobank, Alaxan FR, Philippine Tourism Authority, Star Billiards and Billiards Snooker Congress of the Philippines. (PR)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (October 4, 2008 issue)
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