The shocking upsets continue to hound the fancied players three days into the Philippine Open Pool Championships after two more world champions were given the boot by unheralded foes at the SM Megamall.
Reigning World Ten Ball champion Mika Immonen of Finland and double world champion Ronnie Alcano of the Philippines fell to the sidelines Saturday after suffering stinging setbacks.
Immonen, a former world No.1 player, lost to youthful Jerico Banares of the Philippines, 7-9, in a thrilling afternoon match while Alcano earned his second loss to Abdullah Al Yousuf of Kuwait, 4-9.
A scratch off the break in the 16th rack doomed Immonen, and the in-form Banares ran out the remaining balls for the unexpected win.
“Medyo binuwenas ako, magaganda rin yung break niya kaso hindi bumebenta,” said Banares, a former national junior champion.
Alcano, on the other hand, lost his ferocious form as early as the second day when he lost to Hwang Young, 4-9. The Filipino world 9-ball and 8-ball winner blamed the mandatory timeout rule which gives players a measly five-minute break at the halfway mark of every match.
Al Yousuf quickly raced to a 5-0 lead before Alcano won the next three racks. The Kuwaiti bet bounced back and grabbed the next rack for a 6-3 lead before both players were given a short break.
When the game resumed, Al Yousuf won three of the next four racks to win.
“Allan (Cuartero) has been helpful in giving information on how Filipino players play,” said Al Yousuf referring to the Kuwait-based Filipino OFW.
Cuartero for his part also lived for another day after surviving Wu Hao of China, 9-8.
But two other notable Filipino players—Jeff de Luna and Marlon Manalo — were not as lucky.
De Luna lost his TV table match to Nguyen Puc Long of Vietnam, 6-9, while Manalo dropped a 3-9 loss to compatriot Carlo Biado.
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