Bata leads Filipino march to second round of 2011 Predator 10-ball billiards

FILIPINO billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes proved that he still has enough magic tricks left in him by clobbering American Jayson Shaw, 9-6, yesterday to jumpstart his title defense in the 11th Predator International 10-Ball Championships at the Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas.

Reyes, who won the tournament last year in Manila, took a bye in the first round of the week-long event that offers $10,000 to the champion.

Also winning their matches yesterday were Ronato “Volcano” Alcano, Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego and youthful RJ Bautista.

Alcano won by default over Reda Belhaj, 9-0 on Thursday then edged countryman Johann Chua, 9-8 yesterday. Gallego routed compatriots Lee Vann Corteza, 9-6, and Jericho Banares, 9-5 while Bautista upset Max Eberle of the United States, 9-6.

Jundel Mazon also scored a major upset yesterday after beating reigning World 9-ball champion Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 9-3 to arrange a second-round showdown with Bautista who is a product of the National Collegiate Billiards League (NCBL) better known as the B-League. He is also a member of the PCSO billiards academy. /Correspondent MARLON BERNARDINO