'Bata' stays unbeaten in US Open

Manila, Philippines - Efren “Bata” Reyes posted back-to-back victories over American Sal Butera and Raj Hundal of Britain to remain unbeaten in the US Open 10-Ball Championship at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Thursday.

Reyes, coming off a big win in the US Open One Pocket Championship last week, faces Jonathan Pinegar, also of the US, in the next round.

Hundal earlier trounced Fil-Canadian Alex Pagulayan, who fell into the losers’ bracket and is fighting it out with Matt Krah of the US at presstime.

Meanwhile, Dennis Orcollo regained the world No. 1 spot, dislodging compatriot Antonio Lining in the latest World Pool-Billiard Association rankings.

Orcollo gained 500 points for reaching the quarterfinal round of the recent World Ten Ball Championship won by Huidji See of the Netherlands.

Orcollo has pooled a total of 1910 points, more than 100 points over Lining, who was booted out early in the world 10-ball tilt.

See moved up to joint third with Chang Jung Lin of Chinese Taipei with 1497 points.

Lee Van Corteza, former double world champion Ronnie Alcano and Francisco “Django” Bustamante remained in the top 10.

Corteza climbed to No. 6 with 1446 points, Alcano is in seventh with 1443 while Bustamante, the reigning World 9-Ball champion, slid to eighth with 1432 points.