Heru edges Adam for cup win

Heru edges Adam for cup win

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Yogyakarta's Heru Gunawan capitalized on nervy play from national team player Adam Abdurrahim and rebounded from a lapse in concentration to win the fourth leg of the A Mild Billiard Cup 2005 on Wednesday.

Heru took home the top prize of Rp 9 million for the 9-7 victory at the Bung Karno Billiard Training Center in Senayan, Central Jakarta. Adam took home Rp 4 million.

It was the 31 year old's third consecutive 9-7 win.

Although the players were even in the early stages, including at 2-2, Heru went ahead 8-4 as Adam committed errors in the eighth, ninth and 11th racks. Adam then pulled two racks in a row, but Heru was able to come through for victory.

"I lost my concentration at 8-4 but I got back into stride at 8-7," Heru said. "I put myself in danger, but I did my best not to lose it, and I didn't in the end."

More had been expected of Adam, who reached the quarters through the loser playoff division, and then defeated fellow national training center member Siaw Wieto 9-4 in the semifinals on Wednesday.

In contrast to his performance in the final, Adam, 45, never gave Siaw a chance to get settled into his game.

He was helped by Siaw, who played indecisively despite a 9-3 win over David Suwito in the last eight, and was similarly lackluster against Adam.

In the quarterfinals, Adam drubbed Aming 9-1. Adam completely controlled the match, with Aming cracking under the pressure.

Heru outlasted Imran Ibrahim 9-7 in his semifinal. Earlier, Heru also earned a 9-7 victory over Edward, while Imran beat Nurdin Abuba 9-7.

Three foreign players -- Toh Lian Han and Chang Keng Kwang of Singapore, and Alan Tan of Malaysia -- did not manage to qualify for the last eight.

The A Mild Billiard Cup 2005 will move to Yogyakarta for the fifth leg (June 26-29), Palembang (July 24-27) and then Medan (Sept. 11-14).

The grand final will be held in November in Jakarta.