THE Philippines' top pool masters -- Efren "Bata" Reyes, Dennis Orcollo and Lee Vann Corteza -- fell by the wayside, but a host of their countrymen are making charge in the 2010 World Pool Championships in Doha, Qatar.
The 55-year-old Reyes, regarded as the best pool player of all time, was shot down by Johnny "The Scorpion" Archer, 10-11, in the knockout stage Saturday of the world's most prestigious pool event.
Orcollo, recent winner of the 2010 World Pool Masters, yielded to Bruno Muratore of Italy, 8-11, while Corteza, US Open 10-Ball titlist, lost to Tony "Tornado" Drago of Malta, 7-11.
Also losing their respective matches were Joven Alba, Antonio Gabica, Israel Rota and Allan Cuartero.
Alba, a Middle East Pool instructor, lost to Shane Van Boening of the United States, 7-11; Gabica fell to Craig Osbome of Great Britain, 4-11; Rota succumbed to Jason Klatt of Canada, 8-11; and Cuartero was ambushed by Nick Van Den Berg of the Netherlands, 6-11.
But the other Filipinos in action breezed through with Venancio Tanio claiming the biggest victim in Ralf Souquet of Germany, whom he beat 11-9.
Ronnie Alcano, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Marlon Manalo, Jeff de Luna and Antonio Lining joined Tanio in the next round.
Alcano, the 2006 World 9-Ball and 2007 World 8-ball champion, booked a seat into
the round-of-32 after beating Muhammad Zulfikri of India, 11-6, while Bustamante nipped Oliver "The Machine" Ortmann of Germany, 11-2.
De Luna trounced Chang Jung-lin of Chinese-Taipei, 11-9, while Manalo downed Lu Hui Chan of Chinese-Taipei, 11-8. Lining advanced following his 11-6 win over Lee Poh Soon of Malaysia.
Manalo will next meet dangerous Shane Van Boening of the United States but vowed to give it his best. (CRAM)