Luat makes semis in US Open 9-ball

A red-hot Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat advanced into the semifinals even as two other Pinoys stay alive in the 31st US Open 9-Ball Championships, which will drop off its curtains today at the Chesapeake Convention Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Luat, the only undefeated Pinoy bet so far, racked up his sixth straight victory with an 11-8 drubbing of Charlie Bryant.

Antonio Gabica and Ronnie Alcano also kept their respective title bids in motion in the penultimate action of the week-long poolfest.

Gabica ousted Jerry Slivka, 11-9, before terminating American favorite Corey "The Prince of Pool" Deuel to set up a quarterfinal showdown with CJ Wiley.

Alcano tasted defeat for the first time at the hands of Englishman Gabe Owen, 5-11, but will still play against John Schimdt for a semifinal berth.

Gandy Valle was not as lucky. He rolled past Po Cheng Kuo, 5-11, but was handed the pink slip by American Steve Moore, 7-11

Moore got off to a quick 2-0 lead from a break and run, only to miss the 7 ball in the next rack, allowing Valle to get onto the board.

Valle scratched on the break, leaving Moore to run out and then break and run another for a 4-1 lead. Moore extended his lead to 7-2 before Valle started to fight back as the match reached 9-7.

In the end Moore cleaned up the remaining racks to ice the match.

Curiously, Moore is also responsible for the early exit of defending champion Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan.

Meanwhile, tour founder and promoter Barry Behrman announced that in a press conference that even though the field was not filled to 256, he would still be adding over $70,000 to the prize fund.