Manila, Philippines - Two-time Asian Games gold medalist Yang Ching Shun of Chinese Taipei and Japanese Tamoo Takano of Japan swept their respective assignments at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City last Wednesday to gain berths in the main draw of the World 10-Ball Championships.
Yang dominated local bet Marvin Tapia and Ko Ping Chun of Taiwan via the same 7-2 results, then thumped Filipinos Arnel Bautista, 7-3, and Jonas Magpantay, 9-2, to make it to the Stage 2.
Takano, on the other hand, repulsed Taiwanese Hsieh Chia Chen, 9-6, as they joined Allan Cuartero and Chang Yu Lung of Chinese Taipei in the tournament proper set to start next week.
Takano fought back from a 2-4 deficit and took seven of the last eight racks to topple Hsieh and make it to the main draw for the third time.
Leading 8-5 in the 14th rack, Takano made a dry break, enabling Hsieh to get back at the table and cut the lead to two racks. But the Taiwanese flubbed a corner shot on No. 7, allowing Takano to clinch the rack and the win.