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Manalo Glides Into Last 32
ONE of the big guns of Filipino pool enjoyed a comfortable passage into the last 32 shake up as Marlon Manalo executed a 10-5 victory over Singapore hope Chan Keng-kwang at the PICC in
Manila
.
The 30 year-old from
Mandaluyong
City
was behind early on but as the match progressed the outcome never really looked in doubt as ‘Marvelous Marlon’ grabbed control and won nine of the next 13 racks to take the win.
He can now line up tomorrow against 2005 finalist Kuo Po-cheng of
Taiwan
for spot in the last 16 and a guarantee of a place in next year’s event.
“It was not an easy match, I made a slow start as he lead 2-0 and he was playing well in the beginning, said Manalo later.
“I like the alternate break here. The matches last longer but it gives both players a chance.
“I’m confident playing in
Manila
. There’s more pressure playing in front of your home fans but the upside of that is that they lift your morale.
“I’ve been practicing around two hours a day. I’ve only played Kuo once before and that was in a scotch doubles tournament in
Taiwan
. I hope I can go on and win and then do well later in the week,” he concluded.
Other news is that there will definitely be a British player in the last 16 as both Scotsman Pat Holtz and
England
’s Kevin Uzzell recorded great wins to advance.
Holtz, who has worn a kilt for every match so far, sometimes to the merriment of the local fans, took care of remaining Japanese player Tomoo Takano 10-6.
Uzzell, a youthful looking 40 year-old from the
West Midlands
, beat quality Taiwanese player Chang Jung-ling 1-6 on Table 5.
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