GABICA, THREE OTHER REMAINS UNBEATEN IN RP OPEN TEN-BALL

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—ANTONIO “Ga-Ga” Gabica turned back Ibrahim Bin Amir of Malaysia, 9-2, to joined three other Filipino in the winning column in the second round of inaugural Philippine Open (Ten Ball) Pool Championship on Thursday at the SM Megamall (Megatrade Hall 2) in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.

Gabica, the 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball gold medallist will face Marcus Chamat of Sweden in the next round. Chamat beat Kuo Po-Cheng of Chinese-Taipei, 9-5.

Earlier, Mario Tolentino, Demosthenes Pulpul and Jeffrey de Luna also kept the Philippine flag high after trouncing their respective rivals.

Tolentino beat WPA World No.1 Ralf Souquet of Germany, 9-6, Pulpul crushed Kok Hon Keong of Singapore, 9-4, and De Luna nipped compatriot Jestoni Magadia, 9-2.

However, Tolentino and Pulpul, playing under the banner of Cebuano sportsman/ businessman Paul Monera Magadan of Magi Group and sponsored by MPC trading will clash each other in the third round while De Luna will go up against Chang Pei-Wei of Chinese-Taipei, winner over Fabio Petroni of Italy, 9-6.

The $84,000 total pot prize event is applying a double elimination format with the champion getting the lion share of $20,000.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO