Three other Pinoys win Round-of-64 assignments

MANILA, Philippines – Efren “Bata” Reyes and Dennis Orcollo led three other Filipinos in their march to the Last 32 of the ongoing 2012 World 9-Ball Championship in Doha, Qatar.

Still steady and deadly at the age of 57, Reyes weaved his old magic against Toh Lian Han of Singapore, 11-4.

Reyes is seeking to reclaim the 9-Ball crown which he first won in the 1999 edition of the tournament in Cardiff, Wales. “Bata” also won the World 8-Ball crown at the Fujairah United Arab Emirates in 2004.

Orcollo, another World 8-ball titlist, defeated Andrew Kong of Hong Kong, 11-8.

“The pressure is very big here,” Orcollo told World Pool-billiards Association spokesman Ted Lerner. “You just have to deal with it because it’s only going to get bigger.”

Other Filipinos who were triumphant in the Round-of-64 are Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza, Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica and Jundel "Jano" Mazon.

Corteza subdued Serge Das ng Belgium, 11-4, while Mazon edged compatriot ex-double world champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, 11-9.

Gabica, a former Asian Games gold medalist, beat Mario He of Austria, 11-7.

A total of $300,000 prize money is at stake in the WPA sanctioned event. The $40,000 top prize will go to the 2012 9-Ball champion. – By Marlon Bernardino