Siaw, Adam reach third round of billiard cup Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Champion of the third leg of the A Mild Billiard Cup 2005 Robby Suarly was the lone exception on Tuesday as national players were little troubled in advancing in the Jakarta stop.

"He played better than me," Robby said after losing in the first round to Fernandi 3-7.

However, under the double elimination system, Robby still has a chance to reach the last eight if he wins all four matches in the loser playoff section.

The tournament, played over seven legs in different cities, is part of the effort this year to bring billiards to a wider audience and shed the sport's unsavory image.

Siaw Wieto and Adam Abdurrahim, both preparing for the 2005 Southeast (SEA) Games, made short work of their opponents in the nine-ball tournament at Bung Karno Billiard Training Center, Senayan, South Jakarta.

Siaw defeated Heru G. 7-5 in the first round, and overcame Isanto Jaya in the second round by the same score.

Adam gave an equally efficient display, crushing Singaporean Toh Lian Han 7-3 and Fernandi 7-4.

Siaw, champion of the Bali Open 2004, appeared relaxed after his comfortable win, and vowed to do his utmost to take top honors at the tournament.

"I do really want to win the tour," said Siaw, who failed to win the first three series in Makassar, Surabaya and Bandung.

Meanwhile, two of three foreign billiard players -- Toh Lian and Alan Tan of Malaysia -- lost in the first round, while Chang Keng Kwang was able to reach the third round.

Alan lost to William I 3-7, but Chang Keng scored a 7-5 win against Dui Montero in the first round and Cherry S 7-5 in the second.

The three foreign players are also being prepared by their respective countries to play in the 2005 SEA Games.

The tournament will end on Wednesday.

After the fourth series finishes, A Mild Billiard Cup 2005 will move to Yogyakarta (June 26-29), Palembang (July 24-27) and Medan (Sept. 11-14).

The grand final will be held in November in Jakarta.