Reyes, Luat, Kiamco enter round of 32

Efren "Bata" Reyes was joined yesterday by Rodolfo Luat and Warren Kiamco in the knockout round of 32 in the 34th All Japan Championship in Amagasaki City.

The three Filipinos remained unbeaten after three matches to advance to the crucial stage of the competition with a top prize of $15,000.

Two other Filipinos, Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Antonio Lining, were battling it out in a bid to make the round of 32 after dropping one of their first two matches.

However, they fought back to win a crucial second match in the loser’s bracket and need to win one more match today to send five Filipinos into contention.

Reports from Japan said Reyes, Luat and Kiamco all played well to defeat Japanese opponents but the tough part begins today.

Among the outstanding pool players competing in the tournament are World Pool champion Mika Immonen and five-time world champion Earl Strickland.