MANILA, Philippines - Demosthenes Pulpul made short work of Edgar Acaba, 9-2, to clinch a slot in the main draw of the World 10-Ball Championship which begins Tuesday at the World Trade Center.
A former WTBC semifinalist, Pulpul trampled Jonas Magpantay in the semis then sustained his form and dominated Acaba to tow Chinese Guo Hoa into the tournament featuring the world’s leading players.
But while Pulpul cruised to his third straight stint in the WTBC, Guo had to go through a wringer before nipping Egie Geronimo in a hill-hill match at the Star Billiards Center in QC to advance.
“I thought I was going to lose because he was able to make the first two balls in the deciding rack,” said Guo thru an interpreter. “But both players really deserved to win as we gave our best.”
Guo actually looked headed for a trouble-free win when he went up, 8-6. But he missed the last ball in the 15th rack, enabling Geronimo to bounce back.