William upsets world pool champ<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali<\/p>\n
William Ipaenen of Indonesia edged out world pool champion
\nAlex Pagulayan of Canada to chalk up one of many big upsets at
\nthe A Mild Billiard International Open here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The 42-year-old Jakarta-based William pulled out a 9-5 victory
\nover Pagulayan of Canada at the Paradiso Bowling and Billiard
\nCenter.<\/p>\n
Three-time world champion Efren Reyes of the Philippines and
\ntwo-time world champion Chao Fong Pang of Chinese Taipei also
\ncrashed out.<\/p>\n
But the biggest upset was provided by local contender,
\nWilliam, who was apparently not overawed by his opponent's world
\ntitle.<\/p>\n
William seized upon a string of good breaks to race to 6-1
\nlead, much to the delight of the home fans.<\/p>\n
Pagulayan tried to claw his way back and closed the gap to 8-5
\nat one point. He had a chance for more, but was undone by an
\nunlucky break in frame 14.<\/p>\n
William finished the game in style. He struck the second ball
\nto have his cue ball neatly deflected and headed to slam home the
\nnine ball for the billiard equivalent of a KO.<\/p>\n
William erupted in elation and thrust his hands into the air
\nwhen he realized that he had just toppled the world champion. In
\nthe other corner, Pagulayan was the picture of disappointment.<\/p>\n
\"I relaxed and just shot around,\" William said.<\/p>\n
\"During the game, I did not let myself be drawn into the frame
\nof thought that I was taking on the world champion out there.\"<\/p>\n
He said that the victory should be a good indication of
\nIndonesia's billiard potential against world class players.<\/p>\n
Pagulayan was philosophical about his loss, saying he had
\nplayed relatively well, but that William simply played better.<\/p>\n
\"I think William played very well today,\" the diminutive
\nPagulayan said in praise of his opponent.<\/p>\n
In other matches, Reyes, who reveled in his recent victory in
\nthe second leg of the San Miguel Asian 9-ball Tour in Jakarta
\nlast week, lost to Vietnam's Luong Chi Dung 9-5, while Chao Fong
\nPang was narrowly defeated by Kunihiko Takahashi of Japan 9-8.<\/p>\n
Reyes blamed his defeat on fatigue as he felt obliged to give
\nthousands of local fans time for photo sessions and autographs.<\/p>\n
\"I couldn't see the ball clearly. I couldn't control my cue
\nball. I just couldn't concentrate,\" Reyes said.<\/p>\n
Siaw Wieto is the only other Indonesian player still alive in
\nthe tournament.<\/p>\n
After a defeat on Wednesday, Siaw, the winner here last year,
\nhung on to remain in contention by collecting three wins. He
\ndefeated Ibrahim bin Amir of Malaysia 7-5 on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Sixteen players including top contenders Francisco Bustamante
\nof the Philippines and Mika Immonen of Finland are now remaining
\nin the tournament. The tournament will will wind up on Friday.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/william-upsets-world-pool-champ-1447893297",
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