Robinsons Galleria
EDSA cor. Ortigas Avenue
Quezon City
Philippines
www.robinsonsmalls.com
www.predator10ball.com
www.DragonPromotions.com
14-18 September 2011
Philippines hopes rest on World #1 "Robocop" to arrest Wu from all China final
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Immonen & Orcullo To Stop All Chinese Final : Reyes Out
It was an action filled third day at The Predator Championships packed with emotional and thrilling results. China's stars shined throughout the event led by Liu Haitao and Wu Jia Qing. If both players win their matches, they will have created an all China finals here in the Philippines. Only two men can stop them, Mika Immonen and Dennis Orcullo.
The 11th Annual Predator International Championship is the premiere event of Predator Cues and produced by Dragon Promotions taking place this week September 15 - 18, 2011 at Robinson's Galleria Mall in Manila, Philippines. The event is co-sponsored by Asia Brewery Incorporated, Yalin Tables, Andy Cloth, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Colt 45 Strong Beer, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Motolite, Aramith Balls, Robinson's Galleria, Magic 89.9 Radio, Philippines Star Newspaper, Crowne Plaza Ortigas, and TV network partners ABS-CBN and ESPN Star Sports. World class pros from 30 countries were represented at this year's event.
Share this article on FaceBook
"Read More..." for the details.
22- year old Chinese Wu Jia Qing played the villain as he defeated local favorite and national hero Efren Reyes. Reyes was the defending champion of the Predator Championship and looked good to defend his title getting to the quarter-finals. Reyes led 9-8 against Wu needing only one more game to close the match. But he gave Wu one more small chance which Wu fully took to enter the semi-finals with his 10-9 escape from Efren. Earlier Wu had defeated the hot streaking Thorsten Hohmann from Germany 10-5. Hohmann had won the past 2 consecutive major championships on the pro tour prior to his loss to Wu.
The crowd favorite and adored " Magician" Reyes ran out of magic in the final game
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Dennis Orcullo will be the last Filipino standing in the final four today. Orcullo fittingly is also currently ranked #1 in the world. Orcullo started off this event on a sour note dropping his first match to Japan's World Champ Yukio Akagariyama 9-3. But since then Orcullo won 6 consecutive matches including last night's wipeout of fellow Filipino Ramil Gallego 10-3. Prior to that Orcullo dominated Jundel Mazon 10-2 meaning in his last two matches he has 20 game wins and only 5 losses. He will need all his mojo today when he faces off with Wu, who is a two time World Champion already.
The sleeper giant of the event is relatively unknown Liu Haitao of China. Liu has been silently killing all his opponents thus far knocking off huge names like Thorsten Hohmann, Antonio Lining, and Darren Appleton. Liu then made a nice win over Philipp Stojanovic 10-8 where the young European lost his cool towards the end and slammed his stick into the table and broke his cue in a blatant display of bad sportsmanship. Liu calmly won that match and moved onto the semi-finals. Though he has not won a major international event yet, this could be the one for him if he can get by his next opponent, Mika Immonen.
China's Liu Haitao looking for breakthrough international win at Predator International
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
The mighty Mika has been on a unusually long drought from the winner's circle this year. He started off 2011 strong with a win in the USA at The Masters 10-Ball, but since then has failed to reach the final four in several events. This event marks his first final four appearance in a semi-finals in 10 events.
Mika has been tested in a big way twice already with escapes at 10-9 and 10-9 again with Jech Limen of Philippines and Chris Melling of England. Melling gave Mika his only loss in the event in a 9-2 thrashing. Immonen made two heart pounding runouts from 8-9 behind to win yesterday over the current Europe #1.
"I've been going through alot of internal challenges and changes on and off the table. But it's going to help me in the long run. I know it", explained Mika. "I just need to bring in the same focus and energy into my next matches."
If Immonen and Orcullo win they will face off in a Europe vs Asia match-up. Otherwise it could be all China with Liu and Wu. Matches air live on Balls Channel 34 and later on Studio 23.
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Efren Reyes still reliable for his country
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Reyes Continues Predator Streak
Efren Reyes continues to prove that his game is still timeless. Reyes won his 3rd round match yesterday at the 11th Predator International Championships defeating the top pro from Spain. Reyes continues his streak at this event from last year as its reigning champion. Yesterday's victory made it 10 match wins in a row at the Predator Championship since 2010. The win propelled him into the final 16 stage of the event where he will be seeded #3 and play against the 14th seed.
The 11th Annual Predator International Championship is the premiere event of Predator Cues and produced by Dragon Promotions taking place this week September 15 - 18, 2011 at Robinson's Galleria Mall in Manila, Philippines. The event is co-sponsored by Asia Brewery Incorporated, Yalin Tables, Andy Cloth, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Colt 45 Strong Beer, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Motolite, Aramith Balls, Robinson's Galleria, Magic 89.9 Radio, Philippines Star Newspaper, Crowne Plaza Ortigas, and TV network partners ABS-CBN and ESPN Star Sports. Over 30 countries are estimated to be represented at this year's event including Germany, India, Sweden, China, England, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Australia, Finland, Hong Kong, Norway, Mexico, Canada, Curacao, Venezuela, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands, Italy, Malta, and the USA. World class pros from across the globe will fill the field.
Reyes was seeded #1 in this event and had a bye in round one. Then he defeated Jason Shaw of England in the second round. Last night was a tester as he faced David Alcaide of Spain, who recently finished 2nd at The US Open in Las Vegas. Alcaide also finished 3rd at The Predator Sweet 16 last year here in Manila. The match with Alcaide was close with Reyes staying ahead one game until 6-5. Reyes then missed a long bank shot on the 10-Ball and Alcaide tited it at 6-6. Alcaide missed a jump shot the next game and lost momentum with Reyes winning the match 9-6.
"I was sick at the last tournament with stomach pains, and this event I started with some pains in my lower back and buttock areas. But now it's gone and I feel like I'm playing better," said Reyes. Last year at this event Reyes said after the 3rd round win he felt like he could win the event after gaining some comfort and confidence.
Other top Filipino bets will be Ronnie Alcano who won 9-0 yesterday against Carlo Biado.Last year's finalist Roberto Gomez also cruised to the top 16, and perhaps is vying for a second crack at Reyes who defeated him at this same event last year 10-9.
The Filipino players will have their hands full still as three Europeans Mika Immonen, Chris Melling, and Thorsten Hohmann are still in the hunt. The Europeans have dominated the events in the Philippines the past few years with exception of Reyes sole win last year at The Predator Championships.
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Ouschan needs to up her game to hang with men in tough Predator field
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Bustamante, Akagariyama, Ouschan Fight to Survive: Souquet Streak Stopped
World Champions have fallen left and right yesterday at The Predator Championship. Reigning World 9-Ball Champion Yukio Akagariyama of Japan, Austria's Women's World Champion Jasmin Ouschan, Filipino world 8-Ball Champ Dennis Orcullo, World 10-ball Champ Huidji See, and past World Champ and Hall of Famer Francisco Bustamante are all on verge of elimination. Even German's hot streaking Ralf Souquet who is coming into the event with 10 consecutive match wins took a loss yesterday.
"The field in The Predator Championship will be much bigger with more champions, thus it will be harder to win", commented Souquet prior to the start of the event. This turned out to be a foreboding statement by the former #1 ranked champ. Souquet still can make it to the final 16 players where the records will be erased for the final single elimination stage. He will face Philippines David Renemar today at 2:00pm.
Hall of Famer Bustamante & champion Van Corteza face elimination today
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
The 11th Annual Predator International Championship is the premiere event of Predator Cues and produced by Dragon Promotions taking place this week September 15 - 18, 2011 at Robinson's Galleria Mall in Manila, Philippines. The event is co-sponsored by Asia Brewery Incorporated, Yalin Tables, Andy Cloth, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Colt 45 Strong Beer, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Motolite, Aramith Balls, Robinson's Galleria, Magic 89.9 Radio, Philippines Star Newspaper, Crowne Plaza Ortigas, and TV network partners ABS-CBN and ESPN Star Sports. Over 30 countries are estimated to be represented at this year's event including Germany, India, Sweden, China, England, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Australia, Finland, Hong Kong, Norway, Mexico, Canada, Curacao, Venezuela, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands, Italy, Malta, and the USA. World class pros from across the globe will fill the field.
Fans can't get enough of billiards and the top stars of the sport
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
On the other hand, Ralf's partner from Germany Thorsten Hohmann is the other hot streak player. Hohmann just came off a huge win at The World Tournament of 14.1 in the USA, and then won the World Cup of Pool here in Philippines. Hohmann in those events was on a 17 match winning streak, and now added two more yesterday making it 19 matches in a row. If he defeats China's Liu Haitao todday, he will make it an even 20 consecutive match wins going into tomorrow's final stage of 16.
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Morra (CAN) vs Immonen (FIN) was a tightly contested match
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Immonen Escapes Twice : Orcullo Ousted
Two-time World Champion Mika Immonen persevered twice in the same day as he won very close calls at The Predator Championships. Immonen has been struggling of late in recent events, and hasn't posted a top 4 finish in a major since the beginning of 2011. Yesterday he faced two young guns aiming for him in Canada's John Morra and Filipino Jech Limen.
Mika trailed at one point with Morra as they battled live on the TV table for ABS-CBN in a packed arena. Immonen found a way to squeeze by to win 9-7. Against Limen, it was much closer. Limen held a 1-2 game lead the entire match until Limen held at 8-7 needing only the 9-Ball and 10-ball to secure victory. But then shockingly to the gasp of the audience, Limen miscued on the 9-ball (when the tip is not chalked properly before the shot), and he missed. Immonen won that game and then proceeded to break and run out to an easy safety which Limen hit but left a shot for Mika to run out. Immonen did exactly that for the 9-8 escape accentuated with a double two handed fist pump at the end.
"It's been a long time since I won a match like that. I've been struggling this year in close matches, so this one is emotional for me", explained Mika. "I've been going through alot of inner changes this year, so I've been adapting to that. But it feels good."
World #1 Orcullo will have to figure out his game to make it to the final 16 tomorrow
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
#1 World Ranked Dennis Orcullo (PHI) faced off against #2 World Ranked Yukio Akagariyama of Japan. Both players had won World 8-Ball and World 9-Ball titles respecyively this year. But the battle was lackluster as Yukio cruised to an easy 9-3 victory over the top ranked Filipino. Orcullo will have to face Han Hao Xiang of China today to survive.
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
"Hitman Hohmann" vs "Hitman Hundal"
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Hohmann Beats Hundal in Grudge Battle of the Hitmen
Old rivals flared yesterday in a pairing between Germany vs India at The Predator International Championships. Tour veterans Thorsten "Hitman" Hohmann and Raj "Hitman" Hundal battled it out in Manila to see which Hitman would stand on top. Both pro players have had international successes, but with Hohmann leading the head to head matches against Hundal. This day would be no different.
Raj "Hitman" Hundal
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Thorsten took the early lead in the match at 2-0 and never trailed from there. Hundal could not get anything going, though he did dominate Hong Kong's Lee Chenman 9-3 earlier in the day . Hohmann also dominated by identical 9-3 scores in his first round match against Japan's Kurokawa. In the end Hohmann closed out the match at 9-2 against his nickname nemesis.
"John Mcdonald chose and announced that nickname 'Hitman' to me years ago. I did not choose it. It just stuck. But really to me it makes no difference what they call me aside from my real name", said Hohmann prior to the match. The calm, cool World Champion had recently won The World Tournament of 14.1 and then the World Cup of Pool within the last 10 days.
Kuwait's Hamza Ali made a good impression with his TV win over famed Jasmin Ouschan of Austria. Jasmin, the reigning Women's World Champion, made a crucial error at 7-7 which cost her match 9-7. Prior to that, Ali led 7-4.
Ouschan struggled against Ali
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
USA's two top pros in the event had mixed starts. Top 20 ranked Max Eberle fell 9-6 to junior Filipino RJ Bautista while #9 ranked Charlie Williams defeated Ruosuke Marouka 9-6 and then demolished former Filipino World Champ Rodolfo Luat 9-4. Williams is also the host promoter of the event.
Crowds packed the non-TV arena tables
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
The 11th Annual Predator International Championship is the premiere event of Predator Cues and produced by Dragon Promotions taking place this week September 15 - 18, 2011 at Robinson's Galleria Mall in Manila, Philippines. The event is co-sponsored by Asia Brewery Incorporated, Yalin Tables, Andy Cloth, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Colt 45 Strong Beer, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Motolite, Aramith Balls, Robinson's Galleria, Magic 89.9 Radio, Philippines Star Newspaper, Crowne Plaza Ortigas, and TV network partners ABS-CBN and ESPN Star Sports. Over 30 countries are estimated to be represented at this year's event including Germany, India, Sweden, China, England, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Australia, Finland, Hong Kong, Norway, Mexico, Canada, Curacao, Venezuela, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands, Italy, Malta, and the USA. World class pros from across the globe will fill the field.
Click the image to view the larger poster - use "back" to return here.