MARLON "Marvelous" Manalo, the 2005 World Pool Championships third placer turned back 2007 Solar RP 9-Ball Open winner Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica, 9-3, to advance in to the semifinal round of the 3rd BSCP National Pool Championships late Saturday at the Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City.
"I just lucky because the ball always favor in my side," said Manalo, a former Asian snooker kingpin, who hails from Mandaluyong City.
It was a revenge of sorts for Manalo, who lost to Gabica in the finals of the Philippine Pool Tour Ten Ball tournament in Mandaluyong City early this year.
Elmer "Buddy" Kalaquian, defeated Silverio Tulabing, 9-7, to join Manalo in the final four of this BSCP event held in partnership with Star Billiards, Raya Sports and the Philippine Billiards Foundation.
By advancing into the semifinals, Manalo and Kalaquian have now secured berths for the inaugural staging of the WTBC which begins Sept 29th at the Philippine International Convention Center. They will join a cast of 102 players who have so far booked seats in the event organized by Raya Sports.
Four other players – Gabica, Jeffrey De Luna, Elvis Calasang and Tulabing – are still vying for slots for the semifinals.
The four will also vie for the remaining two slots for the WTBC, which is sanctioned by the World Pool Association, the world's governing body in billiard.
