The shortened race to 7 saw Sambajon picking up a quick 3-0 lead after several key misses by Pagulayan.  “The Lion” tied up the score at 3 apiece, and then the players traded racks until the score was knotted at 5.  A foul by Pagulayan gave Sambajon the hill, and then a fine break and run saw Sambajon score the winning rack for the 7-5 victory.  Sambajon will meet Tony Robles in Saturday’s final at 3 p.m.

In an all-Ireland semifinal match in the women’s division, Karen Corr, ranked number two by the WPBA, and road partner Julie Kelly faced off for the right to play Allison Fisher in Saturday’s finals.  Kelly had a two-game lead over Corr at 3-1, but the ladies played hard and never gave an inch.  At 5-4 Corr, Kelly played safe o­n the 1, and Corr made an excellent carom off the 1 into the 9, sending it into the corner pocket to reach the hill.  When Kelly scratched o­n the following break, it was all over.  Corr got out of line for the 6 and played safe; when Kelly fouled, Corr cleared the remaining four balls for the 7-4 win.  Corr will face off with Fisher o­n Saturday at 1 p.m.

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