Luat foils Gallego for Bacolod Villar plum

BACOLOD CITY – Rodolfo Luat used a strong start to seize control then held sway the rest of the way to foil hometown bet Ramil Gallego, 13-10, and capture the first Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg Sunday night at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex here.

It was a sweet victory for the 50-year-old veteran internationalist, who has not won a title in almost two years or since winning the Taiwan leg of the 2006 San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour but toppled the cream of the crop to end a long title drought.

“I’m very happy with this victory. This only proved that I can still win at my age,” said Luat who pocketed $15,000 for ruling the fifth stop of the island-hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine sports.

On his way to victory, Luat, who has not made it past the second round in the previous Villar Cup legs, upended reigning world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, 11-6, to earn a second round match against two-time world champion Ronnie Alcano, whom he defeated 11-7, to advance into the quarterfinals.

He then outduelled Cebu leg champion Gandy Valle, 11-9, then stopped qualifier Michael Feliciano on his tracks in the semifinals, 11-7, to arrange a title showdown with Gallego.

Gallego, who ruled the series’ Bulacan leg, humbled Efren “Bata” Reyes, 11-8, to gain a seat in the final of the event organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the city government of Bacolod led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) of businessman Jonathan Sy and sponsored by Camella Communities.

Playing before a highly-partisan crowd, Luat didn’t flinch and went to work early to race to a 6-0 lead.