Bata gains Round-of-32

By JONAS TERRADO

Efren “Bata“ Reyes shrugged off an inconsistent showing to defeat Singapore’s Lian Han Toh, 11-6, on Wednesday night and earn a spot in the Round-of-32 of the World 9Ball Championship at the Al Saad Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.

After a seesaw affair, the twotime world champion Reyes won the final five racks to survive past the stubborn Toh and arrange a duel with Jentsch Dominic of Germany in the next round, being played at presstime.

The win, however, failed to satisfy the 57-year old pool legend who told Qatar-based television network Al Kass Sports Channel after the match that, “I played bad this time. I missed some shots but it’s going to be different next time.“

Reyes, 2011 World 8-Ball champion Dennis Orcollo, and three others are the only Filipinos left in the tournament.

Former National 9-ball winner Lee Van Corteza dominated Belgium’s Serge Das, 11-4, and 2006 Doha Asian Games gold medalist Antonio “Gaga“ Gabica schooled youngster Mario He of Austria, 11-7.

One of the biggest upsets in the Round-of-64 was made by Jundel Mazon, who posted a stunning 11-9 win over fancied compatriot and 2006 World 9-Ball king Ronnie Alcano.

Alcano is one of eight Filipinos who failed to make the next round. Another notable casualty was 2010 champion Francisco “Django“ Bustamante, who absorbed an 11-6 defeat at the expense of 2000 winner Chao FongPang of Taiwan.

Rising star Carlo Biado, ranked No. 12 in the world, also bowed out of contention after an 11-10 setback to Ohi Naoyuki of Japan.