Zerna humbles Reyes; Alcano also tumbles

UNHERALDED Ricky Zerna stunned pool maestro Efren “Bata” Reyes, 9-4, in the second round of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bulacan Leg Saturday at the Event Center of SM City here.

Zerna, a member of the Negros Billiards Stable of businessman Jonathan Sy, displayed superb pocketing and great control of the cue to beat the man regarded as the best cue artist ever and inch closer to the coveted Villar Cup and the P300,000 top purse.

“I’m very very happy,” said the 26-year-old pride of Dumaguete City in Filipino It’s truly a distinct honor to beat the world’s best player.

“I hope to sustain my rise and play even better to realize my dream of becoming a champion,” added Zerna, conqueror of Richard Pornelosa, 9-7, in the opening round of the series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports and supported by Camella Communities.

Zerna will next face former world No.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante, who notched his second straight win by beating reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza, 9-6.

After splitting the first four racks, Zerna took advantage of a couple of miscues Reyes committed to pocket six of the next seven racks for an 8-3 lead.

Reyes stole Zerna’s break of the 12th rack to score his fourth point, but his rally proved to be short-lived as the 54-year-old Magician broke dry in the next frame and Zerna sank and tough-angled two-nine combination to seal the biggest upset in the event organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

“It’s really difficult to win nowadays because there are so many good players,” said Reyes in Filipino. “Bai (Zerna) and Jomar are good. They will go places.”

Former two-time world champion Ronnie Alcano is also out of the running after yielding to hometown bet Egie “Marilao” Geronimo, 9-7, in their opening round encounter Friday.

Geronimo, the 30-year-old mainstay of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano also stunned Reyes, 9-1, in their match in the Villar Cup Cebu leg last June.

Geronimo was playing 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez at presstime of the event supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions, Negros Billiards Stable and ER Cues.