FIVE Filipino billiards aces scored crucial third round wins yesterday in the 2011 US Open 9-Ball tournament at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Former World 9-ball champion Alex Pagulayan and ex-national champion Lee Vann Corteza toyed with their foes while Warren Kiamco, Antonio Lining and Jundel Mazon survived dangerous foes.
Pagulayan beat Grover Foster, 11-8 to meet Stan Shuffett in Round Four while Corteza ripped Michael Banks, 11-4 to face Robb Saez. Kiamco edged Dennis Hatch, 11-10; Lining routed Basher Hussain Abdulmajeed, 11-1 while Mazon prevailed over Li Wen Lo, 11-6.
Despite the success of the five Pinoys whose stint is backed up by Energen, Kopiko, Negros Billiards Stable and Puyat Sports, the PH contingent also suffered heavy losses.
Cebuano Antonio Gabica lost to Jayson Shaw, 11-1, to drop to the losers’ bracket while pool legend Jose “Amang” Parica was booted out after yielding to Shane Jackson, 11-9 in the loser’s side.
Gabica needs to beat Tomoo Takano to progress.