Siaw flies flag alone in billiard cup last eight

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Siaw Wieto is the last man standing as the only national squad player through to the quarterfinals of the fourth leg of the A Mild Billiard Cup 2005 on Tuesday.

Siaw and Adam Abdurrahim, both preparing for the 2005 Southeast (SEA) Games, had earlier 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 then beat Widi Harsoyo in an evening contest to make the last eight.

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 the Jakartan, who failed to win any of the three previous legs in Makassar, Surabaya and Bandung.

Adam lost to Imran I 4-7 in the third round, but will have another chance on Wednesday to make the quarterfinals under the double elimination system.

Meanwhile, Toh Lian was joined by Alan Tan of Malaysia in losing in the first round.

The only other foreign player, Singapore's Chang Keng Kwang, was able to advance to the third round, scoring a 7-5 win against Dui Montero in the first round and Cherry S 7-5 in the second.

Chang then lost to Aming 4-7, but will compete again on Wednesday in the loser playoff section.

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

Winner of the third leg Robby Suarly was also surprised on Tuesday.

"He played better than me," Robby said after losing 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 on Wednesday.

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. It 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.