SemifinalIt is the first ever semifinal fixtures in the tour with players from four different countries/regions. In the first semifinal between Alok Kumar of India and Efren Reyes from the Philippines, a series of misses by Kumar cost him the chance to become the first Indian finalist. He had seven pocketing misses in the game and was thrashed by Reyes 11-1.

Park Shin Young was also punished by his pocketing mistakes in his clash with Chao Fong Pang.  Park was left behind after tying at 4-4 and finally bowed out at 4-11 while Chao went o­n to face “Bata” in the finals.

QuarterfinalsEarlier today, Chatchawal Rutphae’s dream of becoming the first Thai player in semifinal ended when he lost 8-9 against Park Shin Young of Korea in a match full of twists. Park started the game with a 3-0 lead, but Chatchawal then came back with five racks in a row to take the lead. But he failed to seal the victory at 8-5 and let the world number-34 player scored four consecutive racks to earn his second semifinal appearance o­n the tour.

Alok Kumar staged another comeback classic to clinch the last semifinal berth. He overcame a 3-5 deficit to sweep five racks in a row to beat Wang Hung Hsiang of Chinese Taipei.

Featuring a field of 32 Asia’s best players, the tour also provides the opportunity for the 32 participating players to garner qualifying points towards the World Pool Championships in July.  The tour is the o­nly ranking event in Asia for players to qualify to the World Pool Championships.

Adding to the stakes will be a prize money purse of $50,000 USD up for grabs this weekend and o­n each subsequent stop of the San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour; Hong Kong (April 17-18), Taipei (May 7-9) and Manila (May 29-30). The main draw includes players from 11 countries/regions in Asia.

For all information o­n the tour, please check out www.asian9-balltour.com. For the latest schedules and program information o­n ESPN STAR Sports, catch us o­n the net at www.espnstar.com. San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour Ranking 2004 (Top 10)Rank Name Representing Ranking Points1 Efren REYES Philippines 1402 CHAO Fong Pang Chinese Taipei 802 Alok KUMAR India 804 Warren KIAMCO Philippines 705 Satoshi KAWABATA Japan 606 CHEN Huang Wu Chinese Taipei 506 PARK Shin Young Korea 508 JEONG Young Hwa Korea 408 Francisco BUSTAMANTE Philippines 408 VU Trong Khai Vietnam 408 Hishashi YAMAMOTO Japan 408 Chatchawal RUTPHAE Thailand 40

Sanctioned by the Asian Pocket Billiard Union, the San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour is organized by ESPN STAR Sports’ Event Management Group (EMG). San Miguel Beer is the title sponsor for the Tour. Iwan Simonis and Aramith supply the official tablecloth and official balls respectively. STAR Sports is the official broadcaster. The 2004 Tour has events in Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Taipei and Manila. Besides total prize money of US$250,000, top 10 o­n the Tour Order of Merit every year will directly qualify into the World Pool Championships.

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