MANILA, Philippines - Defending singles champion and world No. 7 Thorsten Hohmann, world No. 3 Shane Van Boening of the US and Finnish ace Mika Immonent trampled their respective rivals as the fancied bets sustained their dominant start in the MP Cup Philippine Open 10-Ball Championship at SM City Mall in Gen. Santos City yesterday.
The $150,000 event, put up by boxing icon Rep. Manny Pacquiao, lured 120 players from 10 countries, including some of the world’s best with the likes of Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante leading the local bets’ drive.
Van Boening, competing in Asia for the first time, had to fight off jet lag and a stubborn local bet Archie Ygloria before carving out a tough 9-7 victory while compatriot Rodney Morris routed Raymond Faraon, 9-1.
Immonen, who whipped John Salazar, 9-2, in the first round, was fighting Antonio Lining at presstime with Hohmann taking on Arnel Bautista in the other featured match.
Other players who advanced to the third round were Ronnie Alcano, Ramil Gallego, Roberto Gomez and Bustamante.
In other results, Jech Lima stunned Mohammad Zulfikri of Indonesia, 9-6; William Mijares upended Gandy Valle, 9-7, and Edwin Gamas shocked Jordan Legaspi, 9-1.
Meanwhile, American John Plunkett turned back Pacquiao in a thrilling hill-hill battle, 9-8, last Monday to spoil the eight-time boxing champion’s bid in the tournament.
Pacquiao went ahead at 8-7 but made several miscues, enabling Plunkett to equalize and later steal the win.
“This victory feels like a million,” said Plunkett.