LUAT BEATS JOVEN, GAINS SEMIS IN PACMAN 9-BALL INT'L TOUR
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 28 Oct 2007
RODOLFO "Boy Samson" Luat got the better of his marquee duel against reigning Korean Pro Tour champion Joven "The Shark" Bustamante and stormed into the semis via a cliff hanging 9-8 victory in the 1st Manny Pacquiao International 9-Ball Open Championships late Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
With the win, Luat, who hails from Angeles City, Pampanga and playing under the banner of Negros Billiard Stable arranged an intriguing showdown with Jeffrey de Luna, winner over lone American hopeful Rodney Morris, 9-6.
Actually it was Joven, distant relative of former world no.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante, who was leading 3-0 in the opening match before Luat closed the gap at 3-2 in the 5th frame.
Then next rack was tied at 5-all, 7-all, 8-all, before Luat nailed a 9-8 triumph.
"Buti na lamang nakahabol si Boy (Luat) at 'yung determinasyon niyang Manalo ay nandun," expained by NBS coach Christopher Palses who was watching from the sidelines with NBS boss Jonathan Sy and reigning national open champion Lee Vann Corteza to give support to Luat.
"Boy Samson", is a moniker he has carried on since the 70's because of his "Samson" break, also beat Ruben Cuna, 9-7, late Friday at the Hobbies Building in Macapagal Avenue.
According to tournament director Julie Guevarra and Ed Sudario, both Luat and De Luna were already assured of P150,000 each for barging into the final four in this event supported by Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao in close cooperation with Solar Sports.
The champion in this P2 million tournament gets P1 million while the runner-up take home P500,000.
The matches between Dennis Orcollo versus Jomel Sultan, Michael Feliciano opposite Val Pajuay were still playing as of press time.
In other matches saw in the round-of-16 late Friday at the Hobbies Building, Morris trounced current double world champion Ronato Alcano, 9-6, De Luna toppled Eduardo Saracho,9-1, Bustamante nipped Marlon Manalo, 9-5, Sultan upset Marcus Chamat, 9-5, Orcollo crushed Demosthenes Pulpul, 9-2, Feliciano outplayed Elvis Calasang, 9-5, and Pajuay waylaid Russian Petiza, 9-5.
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