Kiamco is RP's last hope

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano billiards maestro Warren Kiamco is the only one left standing to fight for the country's flag and honor after his ultra popular compatriots Efren "Bata" Reyes and reigning world champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante crashed out in Day Six of the 35th US Open 9-Ball Championships at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

It was a tough journey for Kiamco as he needed to rack up three consecutive victories before reaching the quarterfinal round and keeping his hunt for the US$40,000 jackpot alive.

Kiamco, once a major awardee of the Sportwriters Association of Cebu (SAC), terminated Chinese-Taipei's Lo Li-wen, 11-9. He then dispatched British star Ralf Suoquet, 11-8, before kicking out Spain's David Alcaide, 11-5, to set up a quarterfinal showdown with former US Open title-holder Corey Deuel of the United States.

Like Kiamco, Deuel also had to wade through rough waters before advancing. He eliminated Germany's Shane Van Boening, 11-8, tamed Rodney Morris, 11-9, before pounding out Jason Klatt, 11-1.

Win or lose against Deuel, Kiamco is already guaranteed $8,000 or more than double his prize earnings of $3,400 this year, so far.

The two other players left in the week-long tournament are two-time defending champion Mika Immonen of Finland and Darren Appleton. The victor in their hot seat match will gain an automatic final berth.

The winner of the Kiamco-Deuel battle, on the other hand, will face the loser of the Immonen-Appleton clash for the remaining championship ticket.

Immonen easily marched into the final round with an 11-4 demolition of Jason Klatt, while Appleton stayed alive with an 11-8 beating of David Alcaide.

Dubbed as the longest run and most prestigious 9-Ball event in the world, the US Open boasts of a total prize fund of $180,000 or roughly P8.6 million. (FREEMAN SPORTS)