Draw yields a few surprises.
By Bob Guerrero
Singapore...Tournament director, Kazuo Fujima conducted the draw for the Singapore leg of the San Miguel Asian 9 Ball tour using playing cards. Most of the top players, understandably spread out across the bracket, have been dealt good hands. But these three intriguing opening match-ups promise plenty of drama.
Francisco Bustamante vs. Mohammed Junarto
Filipino star Django Bustamante faces a potential banana skin in the form of Indonesian veteran Mohammed Junarto. It was Junarto who took Efren Reyes to a decision game in last year's Manila leg, eventually bowing 9-8. But Junarto got his revenge during the Vietnam South East Asian Games in December when he stunned the Magician 11-9 in the semis enroute to a gold medal finish. Can Junarto trip up another Filipino legend? It's unlikely, but Bustamante could have been luckier in the draw.
Chao Fong Pang vs. Lee Van Corteza
This could be the highest-quality match in the first round. The players are a study in contrasts with one thing in common; both are terrific. Chao is a two-time former world champion from Chinese Taipei whose form has been indifferent over the last two years. But he arrested that slide with a recent triumph in a Chinese Taipei ranking event. Corteza is a feared money player with a virtually empty trophy cabinet. The young Filipino wants badly to prove himself under the TV lights. Both will be cursing their luck to meet each other so early. The pick is Chao with his superior experience, but it will be close.
Yang Ching Shun vs. Antonio Gabica
Here's another mouthwatering showdown between an established Chinese Taipei star and an up-and-coming Filipino. Yang needs all his shotmaking prowess to deal with the red-hot Antonio Gabica. "Gaga", as he is popularly known, was a semifinalist in the 2003 WPA World Tour Championship in Japan and a quarterfinalist in the inaugural Philippine Open late last year. Both events were loaded with world-class players. Gabica is a prototypical Filipino gunslinger with a buttery-smooth stroke and a Billiards brain toughened by years of playing money games. But Yang, considered by many to be a future world champion, will probably eke out a close victory.
The drama is about to unfold in the Singapore. Let the fireworks begin.
Competition will start at 10:00am on Saturday, February 28 and 11:30am on Sunday, February 29 at Pool Haven in Clarke Quay, Singapore.
STAR Sports will carry the event LIVE from 19:00HKT on February 28 and from 16:30HKT on February 29.
For more on-site information, please contact:
Edward Yip, ESPN STAR Sports Email:yipe@espnstar.com
Fauziah Ahmad, ESPN STAR Sports Email:fauziah@espnstar.com
Published: February 27, 2004
By Bob Guerrero
Singapore...Tournament director, Kazuo Fujima conducted the draw for the Singapore leg of the San Miguel Asian 9 Ball tour using playing cards. Most of the top players, understandably spread out across the bracket, have been dealt good hands. But these three intriguing opening match-ups promise plenty of drama.
Francisco Bustamante vs. Mohammed Junarto
Filipino star Django Bustamante faces a potential banana skin in the form of Indonesian veteran Mohammed Junarto. It was Junarto who took Efren Reyes to a decision game in last year's Manila leg, eventually bowing 9-8. But Junarto got his revenge during the Vietnam South East Asian Games in December when he stunned the Magician 11-9 in the semis enroute to a gold medal finish. Can Junarto trip up another Filipino legend? It's unlikely, but Bustamante could have been luckier in the draw.
Chao Fong Pang vs. Lee Van Corteza
This could be the highest-quality match in the first round. The players are a study in contrasts with one thing in common; both are terrific. Chao is a two-time former world champion from Chinese Taipei whose form has been indifferent over the last two years. But he arrested that slide with a recent triumph in a Chinese Taipei ranking event. Corteza is a feared money player with a virtually empty trophy cabinet. The young Filipino wants badly to prove himself under the TV lights. Both will be cursing their luck to meet each other so early. The pick is Chao with his superior experience, but it will be close.
Yang Ching Shun vs. Antonio Gabica
Here's another mouthwatering showdown between an established Chinese Taipei star and an up-and-coming Filipino. Yang needs all his shotmaking prowess to deal with the red-hot Antonio Gabica. "Gaga", as he is popularly known, was a semifinalist in the 2003 WPA World Tour Championship in Japan and a quarterfinalist in the inaugural Philippine Open late last year. Both events were loaded with world-class players. Gabica is a prototypical Filipino gunslinger with a buttery-smooth stroke and a Billiards brain toughened by years of playing money games. But Yang, considered by many to be a future world champion, will probably eke out a close victory.
The drama is about to unfold in the Singapore. Let the fireworks begin.
Competition will start at 10:00am on Saturday, February 28 and 11:30am on Sunday, February 29 at Pool Haven in Clarke Quay, Singapore.
STAR Sports will carry the event LIVE from 19:00HKT on February 28 and from 16:30HKT on February 29.
For more on-site information, please contact:
Edward Yip, ESPN STAR Sports Email:yipe@espnstar.com
Fauziah Ahmad, ESPN STAR Sports Email:fauziah@espnstar.com
Published: February 27, 2004
