SEAG hero earns berth in World Pool

Eduardo Villanueva and Lee Van Corteza of the Philippines won spots in the 2006 Philippines World Pool Championship by ruling Qualifiers 3 and 4 late Sunday at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City.

Villanueva, a veteran campaigner on a comeback trail, dominated Hasish Kusano of Japan, 9-2, to take Qualifier 3.

On the way to the finals, Villanueva, who once placed second to Jose "Amang" Parica in an international tournament staged in Manila, posted impressive victories over Jussi Niemela of Finland, 7-2, Kohei Inoue, 7-1, Rodrigo Geronimo, 7-3, Victor Arpilleda, 7-2, and Imran Ibrahim of Indonesia, 7-4.

On the other hand, Corteza, a SEA Games gold medalist, topped the Qualifier 4, outclassing American Max Eberle in the finals, 9-2.

Corteza earlier won five matches, beating Mishal Al Kandari, 7-3, Daniel Chua, 7-1, Yusoke Kuroda, 7-3, Chien Chin-Ju, 7-3, and Pan Shen-Ping, 7-2.

The victories netted Villanueva and Corteza not only World Pool berths but also cash prizes worth P45,000.

A total of 116 players saw action in Sunday’s qualifiers.

Filipino Roberto Gomez and Taiwanese Nien Rong-Chih took the first two berths in the last stage of the elims with the former defeating Oi Naoyuki of Japan, 9-6, and the latter outduelling compatriot Chien Chin Ju, 9-4.

The Qualifiers 5 and 6 were still being played at presstime.

Still looking for spots among Filipino top players are Antonio Lining, Warren Kiamco, Leonardo Andam, Leonardo Didal, Mike Takayama, and Renemar David. 

The qualifying tournaments will end tomorrow with the tournament proper firing off on Nov. 4 at the Philippine International Convention Center.