Obscure bet rips Alcano, Reyes

Qualifier Carlo Biado scored stunning upset wins over former world champions Efren “Bata” Reyes and Ronnie Alcano to steal the thunder  in Day One of the San Miguel Beer Quezon City 9-Ball Championship yesterday.

Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Rodolfo Luat and Ramil Gallego were among the top guns who made it easily in  the third round of the $30,000 event staged by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines with support from Pagcor, Trinoma, The Philippine STAR, Ayala Malls and Philippine Poker Tour.

Alex Pagulayan, also a former world champion, made it through the third round with a 9-4 victory over lone lady bet Rubilyn Amit.

Biado, a nine-year pro still in search of a first major championship, pulled off similar 9-5 wins over Reyes and Alcano in early matches played at the Paeng’s Skybowl Bowling and Billiards Center in Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas, and at the Trinoma Mall, respectively.

Reyes, however, stayed in the hunt for the $10,000 top purse as he blanked little-known Cebuano player William Chua Jr., 9-0, in the second match on the TV table at the Trinoma Mall.

The 1999 World Pool champ displayed master’s touch on the greenfelt table against the youthful Chua to the delight of a big crowd in the venue, including Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte.

Reyes was to play next 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez in the three-day tourney using the double-elimination format.

“This is just like the other major tournaments we’re playing. You have to be good and lucky to win the championship,” said Reyes.

Bustamante was such as he rolled past William Millares, 9-6, and Benjie Guevarra, 9-1, to make the third round.

Orcollo got past Romar Villones and Gandy Valle, Luat rolled over Aram Serquiano and Warren Kiamco while Gallego topped Richard Pornelosa and Gomez to join Bustamante in Round 3.

Unheralded bets who booked slots in the third round were Russian Petiza and Dondon Razalan.