GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? One hundred twenty billiard players from all over the world trooped to this southern seaport city to compete in the 2nd international open 10-Ball tournament bankrolled by world eight-division boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.
Tony Danao, the tournament director, told reporters here that the total number of participants in singles category was triple compared to the previous tournament held here three months ago.
?In singles category alone, 120 players showed up to compete. This is about triple the number of participants who joined in the singles category during last September?s tournament here. I could not yet give the total number of participants for the doubles category as it will start only after the singles is over,? Danao said.
The tournament officially kicked off Monday at SM Mall here. Singles format is double elimination which will end up on Dec. 12. Doubles competition will be held Dec. 13 to 17.
Pacquiao dangled a total guaranteed prize of USD150,000 (P6.6 million).
Winners in the doubles category will bring home a total windfall of USD40,000 (P1.76 million), while the champion in singles category will receive USD13 (P.572 million).
The rest of the amount will go to the 2nd and 3rd place winners in both categories. There would also be consolation prizes.
World renowned cue artists Efren "Bata" Reyes and Mika Immonen breezed past their respective rival to lead the way of the favorites in the opening round of the match.
Reyes wowed the crowd here by his tricks, proving that sheer talent is no match against experience.
Reyes posted a lopsided win against compatriot Jerome Adolfo (9-2) to earn an easy spot in the second round.
Immonen proved too much for John Salazar, posting a 9-2 easy victory, to advance in the next round of the tournament.
Other winners in their initial match include Genersis Ouano, Godofredo Ducanes, Lauro Bongay, Christian Gariando, Ahmad Taufiq, Benjie Guevarra, Archie Padal, Brian Beekers, John Morra, Johann Chua, John Rebong and John Plunkett.
Plunkett engaged Pacquiao in a featured, thrilling match which delighted the crowd inside the mall.
Pacquiao led by a single rack (8-7) and was about to finish off Plunkett until several miscues gave his rival a chance to catch up.
Joie Mantalaba, one of the spectators, said ?Pacquiao obviously gave up the match to Plunkett. I watched him played several times and those miscues he committed today were unusual.?
For an overjoyed Plunkett ?To me, this victory against a sports icon is worth more than a million.?/By Aquiles Z. Zonio
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