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RESULT: USA 5-9 CHINA, PHILIPPINES B 9-1 ENGLAND
DEFENDING champions USA have crashed out of the 2009 PartyCasino.net World Cup of Pool.
The American pairing of Shane Van Boening and Rodney Morris slumped to a 9-5 defeat in their quarter-final clash with 2007 winners Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo of China.
USA started well in front of another capacity crowd at the SM City North Annex in Manila, Philippines and quickly moved into a 3-1 lead.
But the Chinese duo closed in on their third successive semi-final appearance by winning seven racks in a row for an 8-3 advantage.
America took the next two but any hopes of a sensational fightback ended in the 14th rack as China completed the victory.
Ninth seeds China will next play local heroes Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante, the Philippines B team, in the first semi-final at 1pm on Sunday.
USA's exit means no defending champions have managed to retain the trophy in the history of the World Cup of Pool.
PHILIPPINES B, consisting of Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante, put in their best performance yet as they brushed aside the English challenge of Darren Appleton and Imran Majid to advance to the semi-finals of the PartyCasino.net World Cup of Pool at the SM Mall North Annex in Manila on Saturday afternoon.
The legendary duo, who won this title back in 2006, look a fair bet now as they came alive at last following two less than stellar showings in the opening two rounds. They were certainly helped by the poor performances England who gave them plenty of opportunities which they feasted on.
It was disappointing for Appleton, the reigning World 10 Ball Champion as he was very excited about the match in advance but his sub-par performance along with that of his team mate meant they were never in the running.
Taking place in a sparkling new shopping mall in Quezon City, there were upwards of 1,200 people watching the match from every conceivable vantage point and the pro-Pinoy crowd got exactly what they wanted - a vintage show from their treasured national heroes.
In fact, England's sole success was the fourth rack where they went 3-1 behind but it was a hugely disappointing performance from the English duo on such a magnificent stage.
The Filipinos rode their luck at times but it was the seasoned Bustamante who led the team which some trademark flashy pots and tight safety.
MINUTE-BY-MINUTE BLOG
RESULT: USA 5-9 CHINA, PHILIPPINES B 9-1 ENGLAND
4.37: There are three balls on the table as Reyes ducks a tricky 7/9 in favour of a safety and Imran needs to go one rail to escape. He plays it perfectly and leave the oppo in a spot of bother. It's like a game of English billiards up at the top left corner as the three balls start to cluster. Appleton makes an escape but leaves the 7 on and it's goodnight England.
4.34: It's an Everest to climb for England now as the Philippines take the ninth rack and are breaking for the match.
4.31: England won't have any chance of winning if Imran continues to miss easy 2 balls down the rail and the Philppines return to the table and dish up to go 7-1 ahead.
4.25: Reyes is hooked on the 1 ball following the break shot and although he makes contact, it gives the incoming Appleton half a shot at it. They exchange good safeties as they search for an opening that will unlock the rack. Reyes gets lucky and there is a little moment of contoversy when England claim that no rail was touched when Busta escaped from a snooker. The replay proved him wrong and play continued.
4.20: We're back after a commercial break folks in time to see Efren Bata pocket a ball and then his partner play an outstanding jump shot that drew applause from the enthusiastic crowd. The Philippines are living on their nerves as balls rattle in the jaws and fall but with Bustamante the steadying influence, they get to the 9 ball first and increase their lead.
4.11: A good break from Busta is followed by some very good fortune as Reyes clips the 8 ball with the 1 while trying to pot it and the black rolls into the middle bag. From there the Philippines lay a snooker but Appleton's escape is not good enough. Philippines clear to go to 5-1.
4.08: Imran misses in the next though and the fired up Pinoys race through the remaining balls to open up an impressive 4-1 lead.
4.05: England get a real chance to get on the scoreboard and they complete the run out to get to 1-3.
4.00: A soft but good break from the Master sees two balls fall and the rest spread out nicely. Reyes takes the safety option though and Team England have a table side conflab to dicuss their options.
3.55: 3-0 as the old Bata/ Django magic seems be working....
3.47: A dry break from Reyes and England are at the table. There must be upwards of 1,200 people crowding in to watch this match from every conceivable vantage point. Imran left the 1 ball on into the side pocket and the Philippines look set. They make the most of it to go 2-0.
3.40: Django gets the match under way with an illegal break as a ball drops but only one passes the headstring. Appleton misses the 3 ball and leaves it on but Bustamante does the same. Appleton makes an obvious scratch into the middle pocket to give ball in hand to the Philippines with three balls on the table. Reyes downs the 9 as th crowd whoop it up.
3.37 The next match is Philippines B v England and there is not a single space available in the arena. Fans are grabbing every vantage point possible for what should be a classic. The first ever World Cup winners Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante, the Philippines B team, against England's Imran Majid and current World 10-Ball Champion Darren Appleton.
3.29: It's there! 9 down and the dynamic Chinese duo of Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo march on to their third consecutive PartyCasino.net World Cup of Pool semi final. RESULT: USA 5 - 9 CHINA
3.25: Another one where all nine balls stay on the table. With the layout available, China have a real chance of sealing victory.
3.15: Dry! The Americans get back to the table though and Morris lays another excellent snooker. Then it's Van Boening's turn to do similar as they work hard to create an opening. Li Hewen's escape leaves a chance and they take it well to stay in the match.
3.10: The 2 ball drops for Li but Fu makes a mess of a delicate 1 ball to give the USA a chance and Morris locks them up in a tight snooker. Li pulls off a great 'hit and hope' effort but the 1 ball is on. They make it and give themselves a real shot in the arm by taking the rack. They will need a decent break though if they are to continue.
3.06: A dry break from Fu brings out a hint of aggression as he flaps his hand in frustration. They get back to the table though and complete the run out to get to the hill and leave the Americans needing a miracle at 8-3 down.
3.04: America have not done much wrong but they are just not being given any chances. China roll through the tenth rack and are now the scoreboard is showing 7-3.
3.00: China move closer to reaching the semi-finals for the third successive year as they claim the ninth rack to lead 6-3.
2.54: China get the chance and they clear up to take a two rack advantage. 5-3.
2.49: Fu Jianbo is probably the thinnest pool player on the international circuit, but he's some shot-maker though and he lists his hobbies as 'smoking and gambling' rather than the normal gym, working out etc. His safety attempt on the 2 ball is returned by a loosener from Van Boening and it leaves an opening. There is never enough of an opportunity to get going so the visits go back and forth.
2.46: Another nice run out from China as they take the lead for the first time at the halfway stage.
2.42 It's 3-3 as China wrap up the sixth game in what is proving to be a tense encounter.
2.39: Morris's break is the fifth consecutive dry one of the match. Come on lads, hit the thing! With an open table, China run out to reduce the deficit.
2.36: This match isn't exactly cathcing fire as Van Boening drops the 9 ball for a 3-1 lead. That's maybe because it Reyes and Busta against Appleton and Majid up next?
2.33 Van Boening's slow-paced break comes up dry and Fu pounces on the 1 ball. With the 3 tied up with 6, Li can't manage the break up so Fu lays an easy to escape from snooker.
2.26: Both teams had visits as the balls fell awkwardly following the Chinese break shot. In the end a safety escape by Li left the orange 5 on and the Americans regain the lead at 2-1.
2.23: The Chinese pair methodically go through the table to level the score. These two have played in three World Cups together now and look to know each other's games fairly well.
2.20: A tasty little snooker from Li forces Shane into a two rail escape and he manages to connect and make the 2 ball as it rolls slowly down table. With the 3 unavailable to pot, they both take turns at some tight safety play before Van Boening misses a 3/7 attempt.
2.15: Li Hewen scratches going for a 2/9 combo and the USA, with ball in hand, open up the early lead.
2.10: MC John McDonald introduces the two teams and referee Cielo Lopez to the crowd and it's 2007 champions China - Fu Jianbo and Li Hewen - against reigning and defending champs Team USA with Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening leading the way.
