GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – Sentimental favorite Efren “Bata” Reyes had little trouble trashing youthful Jerome Adolfo from Cebu, 9-3 to lead first round winners in the 2nd Manny Pacquiao International 10-Ball Championship which opened Monday, December 8, at the SM City General Santos activity center.
Adolfo looked like he was about to give Reyes a good competition by evening up the score after 4 games, 2-2. But in was downhill for him from there as Reyes captured the next 8 games 7-1 to lead early winners.
Also breezing past the first round was 2009 10-Ball Champion Mika Immonen beating John Salazar 9-2.
Tournament host and sponsor Manny Pacquiao narrowly lost to John Plunkett from Seattle, Washington 9-8 after missing the 7 ball in the 17th and final game.
Pacquiao graciously congratulated Plunkett after the game.
Canadian John Morra who was runner-up along with German Thornsten Hormman the 1st Pacman 10-Ball tournament held last September took a little longer to beat Mohammad al-Shamari, 9-4.
Other first round winners were Johann Chua who also handily won over Rodrigo Yucamco, Genesis Ouano who edged Lim Wei Kok of Brunei and Brunei’s Ahmad Taufiq who blasted John Bautista, 9-2.
Scheduled to also see action late yesterday were Rodolfo Francisco ‘Django’ Bustamante, Warren Kyamco, Ronnie Alcano and Hormann who was champion in the September 1st Pacman 10-Ball tournament.
The 9-day double knockout tournament has attracted top players from around the world but notables absences were top players from Chinese-Taipei and other top European players like Ralph Souquet who all opted to play in their respective billiard circuits.
The tournament will run through December 17, in time for Pacquiao’s birthday. He is turning 36.
Pacquiao also hosted the recently concluded amateur boxing challenge. – Rappler.com
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