Billiards: Calasang, Didal qualify for Portugal's Predator 10-ball Tour
August 18, 2009 9:39 am
By Lily O Ramos
MANILA, Aug. 18 — Unheralded Filipino billiard players Elvis Calasang of Butuan City and Leonardo Didal of Davao City clinched slots in the main draw of Predator International 10-ball Tour set September 10-12 at Anadia, Portugal.
Calasang and Didal topped the recent qualification tournament in the Eight Players' Field Invitational held last Friday at the famous Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City hosted by BCSP president and long-time billiards patron Sebastian “Baste” Chua and BSCP chairman Florentino “Yen” Makabenta.
According to a report sent by International Master (IM) Marlon Bernardino, the 39-year-old Calasang, swept through the winner’s brackets by disposing off 2008 Manila World 10- Ball Championships semi-finalists Demosthenes Pulpul, 11-3, 2008 Reno World Junior 9-Ball Championships silver medalist Jerico Banares and 2007 Manny Pacquiao International 9-Ball Champion Jeffrey de Luna, 11-7, respectively, to secure the first spot in the Portugal 10-ball event.
The main qualification tournament for this year’s World 10-Ball Championships will be held on November 25-30 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
“I’m so happy because I made it to the Predator Portugal tournament proper,” said the former Kuwait pool instructor and a 2007 Fujairah World 8-Ball quarterfinalist.
Again Doha 2006 Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist Jeffrey de Luna, Calasang raced to a 4-1 to 7-5 commanding lead in the race-to-11, winner’s breaks format.
On the other hand, 44-year-old Didal, the 2009 Kaohsiung World Games 9-ball quarterfinalist snared the last slot on Saturday by beating de Luna, 11-8, for the last berth.
Didal is a former FIL 9-ball Open runner-up against 2001 Akita, Japan World Games snooker silver medalist Marlon Manalo, 11-8, and Banares, 11-9.
Banares, last year’s RP Junior champion eliminated 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Antonio “Ga-Ga” Gabica, 11-8. (PNA) vcs/LOR
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