Dela Cruz claims last 10-Ball Open seat

MANILA, Philippines - Roland dela Cruz pounced on Victor Arpilleda’s crucial miss in the 17th rack to steal a 9-8 victory and the last berth in the main draw of the Philippine Open 10-ball Championships.

Arpilleda, a former SEA Games gold medalist, succumbed to pressure and bungled a corner pocket shot on No. 9, enabling Dela Cruz to clinch the rack and the match in the final qualifying day at the Star Billiards Center in QC.

 Japanese Tamoo Takano earlier took the ninth slot by beating veteran campaigner Rodolfo Luat, 9-4.

Dela Cruz actually appeared headed for a rout after posting a 7-4 lead. But Arpilleda bounced back and sent the match into a hill-hill duel.

“He felt the pressure and that might be the reason why he hurriedly took the shot at No. 9. He might also felt a little overconfident, especially when he found himself in that situation,” said Dela Cruz.

“Honestly, I felt I’m not going to win because I also became overconfident earlier after taking a 7-4 lead,” Dela Cruz said.

Taiwanese Tsai Pei Chen joined compatriot Lin Yuan Chun in the main draw with a 7-5 win over Nur Sukmawati of Indonesia, while Vietnamese player Duong Thuy Vi beat Lai Hui Shan of Taiwan, 7-3, to join the main draw in the ladies side of the annual event.