Villar 9-ball: Corteza, Reyes hurdle foes

Lee Vann Corteza of Davao City and Philippine billiards icon Efren "Bata" Reyes went through different routes in winning assignments at the start of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup 9-Ball Open Thursday at the Gaisano Mall Atrium.

Former world champion Alex Pagulayan, meanwhile, met his doom right in his first match and ended up the biggest name that exited early in the tournament. Corteza, who hails from Mintal and playing under the stabe of Jonathan Sy, hacked out an impressive 9-2 victory over Jundel Mazon.

Reyes had to dig deep into his bag of tricks before scoring a pulsating a 9-8 win over Richard Purnelosa. Reyes will meet Corteza next in the P800,000 three-day cuefest that offers a whopping P300,000 to the champion. Corteza said he had already beaten Mazon twice in their two encounters, but he downplays his chances against Reyes.

"I lost to Reyes three times already. I just hope I can win tomorrow when we play," Corteza told Sun.Star Davao. Pagulayan fall to Jharome Peña, 6-9, in their first round match. Pagulayan was the first seeded player to bow out of the tournament.

World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo of Surigao lived up to his billing after his convincing 9-1 triumph over Romeo Alcano of Davao City. Alcano was runner-up in the Sipag at Tiyaga qualifying division held at the NCCC Mall B3 Center Tuesday. Former two-time world champion Ronato Alcano of Laguna, meanwhile, booted out William Millares, 9-3, while Warren Kiamco of Cebu whipped Patricio Gonzales, 9-4.

Davao City national billiards lady player Mary Ann Basas bowed to Elmer Haya of Zamboanga, 4-9. Senator Villar opened the fourth leg of the Villards Cup that kicked off in Alabang. It went next to Cebu and Bulacan before stopping in Davao. Other first round matches were still being played as of this writing Thursday.