After four days of competition at the Derby City Classic, the Bank 9-Ball division ended Monday night with John Brumback successfully defending his title as Derby City Classic Bank Champion by defeating Filipino billiards legend Efren Reyes. In addition to being the defending Banks Division champion, Brumback is also the defending Derby City Classic All-Around champion.

The event kicked off Friday, January 22 with 352 competitors. It was originally thought that the field was 353, but Roberto Gomez was not registered and his entry was withdrawn. The total prize fund for the event was $45,200 with $10,000 being added by the Derby City Classic promoters.

Efren Reyes defeated Larry Nevel in the semis to earn his chance to win the one discipline that has eluded him in the past. Though Reyes has won several titles, including the All-Around, the Banks division has remained out of his reach. His highest finish in the Banks division was runner-up against Steve Moore.

With Brumback being a Kentucky native and Reyes being a legend know around the world, the finals was a classic home crowd favorite versus the world. As Brumback won the lag, the crowd barely cheered. But as Brumback broke, made several banks, and then went on the close out game 1 without a contest, the crowd erupted with hope. Brumback continued to fire in banks and play smart safeties and won the second game. Brumback was met in the third game by a determined Reyes. The game went to a 4-4- tie in ball count before Brumback fired the last bank in for the win.

Brumback handed Reyes a 3-0 beatdown in his successful title defense in the Derby City Classic Bank Division finals.

Derby City Classic 2010 Banks Division Results
1st John Brumback $10,000
2nd Efren Reyes $5,000
3rd Larry Nevel $2500
4-5th Rafael Martinez 1,375
Alex Pagulayan
6-9th Chris Bartram $850
George Breedlove
Shannon Daulton
Truman Hogue
10-16th Bill Bailey $550
Danny Harriman
Neil Jacobs
Michael Laney
Clent McCollough
Steve Moore
Mark Slye, Jr.

[View with PicLens]

1234...789►

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ Efren “Bata” Reyes and Rubilen Amit broke out of a seven-all deadlock and turned back Team Korea’s Charlie Williams and Park Eun Ji, 9-7, in a thrilling showdown in the 2009 World Mixed Doubles Classic at the Nuvo City Lifestyle Center in Libis, Quezon City last night. Reyes and Amit bucked a pair of scratches from breaks and a slew of missed shots in carving out the victory .

Amit, the reigning women’s world 10-ball titlist, sank a difficult shot on the left corner pocket to cap the win to the loud cheers of the home crowd.

“We got a little bit lucky in the end,” said a smiling Reyes.

Amit said it’s a delight to play alongside his idol.

The Philippines’ Efren “Bata” Reyes and Rubilen Amit broke out of a seven-all deadlock and turned back Team Korea’s Williams and Eun Ji, 9-7, in a thrilling showdown in the 2009 World Mixed Doubles Classic at the Nuvo City Lifestyle Center in Libis, Quezon City last night.

“It’s really a great feeling playing alongside him (Reyes). All the things he has just rubbed off on me. He’s really an inspiration,” said Amit.

Reyes and Amit will spearhead the country’s bid in the 25th Southeast Asian Games slated Dec. 9-18 in Vientiane, Laos with the former teaming up with old buddy Francisco “Django” Bustamante in the men’s 9-ball doubles and Amit seeing action in the women’s 9-ball and 8-ball singles.

Earlier, the Philippines’ second team of Lee Van Corteza and Filipino-American Shannelle Loraine overpowered Team Europe’s Mika Immonen of Iceland and Borana Andoni of Albania, 7-3, to clinch third place in the event presented by Nuvo Land Philippines, Inc. and Dragon Promotions. Loraine and Van Corteza had never met nor played together before, and dropped their first match of the event to Team Korea 7-4, which was their only loss. But they soon found their stride as they dominated over Team USA 7-1 and then dismantled Europe 7-3.

Immonen and Andoni had a great tournament representing Europe with a fourth place finish

Corteza and Shanelle found the right chemistry for their wins over USA and Europe

Mika had several uncharacteristic unforced errors

It was a sweet revenge for Corteza who was beaten by Immonen in the final of the recent World 10-ball Championship.

“It’s a nice feeling getting back at Immonen ,” said Corteza, a former six-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist.

Many fans were buzzing that this was one of the most fun and entertaining events they’ve ever watched. The event was the first ever international mixed doubles tournament in billiards, and the brainchild of elite production company Dragon Promotions. Dragon Promotions has already committed to producing this event annually and building it bigger.

“We hope to be able to host this again next year and make Nuvo City its annual home”, said Rally Martinez, Executive Director of Nuvo Land.

Loraine and Corteza also had a great event.

In the consolation opener match of the day, Team Japan faced Team USA to avoid the dreaded last place finish of the event. With US Amateur Champion Amy Chen paired with US Open and former World 10-Ball Champion Shane Van Boening, they seem to be the favorites over young Japanese duet of Hayato Hijikata and Kaori Ebe. Ironically Hijikata won his World Junior Gold at the same time and event Van Boening won his World Gold in the pro division back in 2007 in Jacksonville,Florida in the United States. Japan broke away at 3-3 to win the match 5-3 over USA.

USA’s with Van Boening and Chen didn’t have much luck with a 0-3 record in the event

Before the finals, Team Korea posted impressive wins and looked strong. They seem the only team that could be a threat to Reyes and Amit.

“Eun Ji has been playing superb and has impressed me along with everyone else here. If she keeps up this level, we have a really good chance to upset Team Philippines in the finals”,predicted Williams.

Riding the crest of emphatic victories in the preliminaries, Williams and Park roared to a 2-0 start by pouncing on a dry break by Amit in the first frame and then cleaning up the second rack with a display of superb shot making.

The two pairs alternated racks from there. Team Korea took the sixth rack for a 4-2 upper hand after emerging from an exchange of safety shots, with Williams drilling in a banked shot that opened things up for the easy point.

The Filipinos, however, made their own move, dazzling the crowd with one magical shot after another to get within 4-3.

Japan’s Hayato Hijikata and Kaori Ebe.

Korea had a golden opportunity at 5-3 lead to extend to a three game lead when Williams set Park up a makeable 6/10ball carom for the win, but she missed and a safety battle ensued with Reyes making an incredible kick safe to tie up Williams.This led to a Korea mistake and eventualy win and 3 game streak that put Reyes and Amit up 6-5. Then in game 12, Reyes missed a 10-ball to the gasp of the crowd and gave Korea the game to tie at 6-6. Park missed an open 4ball during the run and Philippines was able to win back that rack, only to scratch on the break and leave Korea a tough layout. Williams opted to take the shot and lined up a tricky low percentage carom on the 1ball to the 10-ball. Amazingly he struck it well and sent the 10-ball to the pocket as he went down to one knee with a yell and fist pump to tie at 7-7.

The Filipinos, however, managed to wriggle out of trouble, beating the Koreans in an exchange of safety shots on the 15th.

“That was the crucial part of the match. Things would have been different had we missed the 15th,” said Amit.

Leading 8-7, the Pinoy duo was not able to pocket a ball on the break, but luckily left Korea with no shot. Williams opted to jump the 1ball in, but missed and left an open table for Amit/Reyes and they took full advantage for the 9-7 close win.

Williams played outstanding during the match and did not miss any open shots nor made any unforced errors. Park played well, with only a few mistakes.

“Efren is a legend and Rubilen is the women’s world champ, so it was a tall hill to climb. I played as good as I could and I couldn’t ask any more from Eun Ji. If just one or two things went differently it could’ve been a different outcome” said Williams.

Reyes gets congratulations from the players

“It was a really good match. I wouldn’t have minded so much even if we lost” said Amit.

The 10-ball tournament, produced by Dragon Promotions, is telecast live on ESPN Star Sports and ABS-CBN throughout Asia and the Philippines. The event is sponsored by Takini Cloth, Magic 89.9, Philippines Star, Predator Cues, Puyat Sports, and hosted by Nuvo City.

The matches had tremendous ratings and the final day have been changed to add an additional channel so will air on ABS-CBN’s Studio 23 and Balls. Internationally on ESPN Star Sports as well as ABS-CBN in middle east and USA.

“Billiards, the sport of the Philippines. The sport of the people.” Please visit www.dragonpromotions.com

Reyes and Amit made it to the finals by edging Japan’s Hayato Hijikata and Kaori Ebe, 7-4, Tuesday, and smashing Immonen and Andoni, 7-1, Wednesday.

Perennial underdog, Pat Holtz of Scotland, shocked the home crowd at the Hotel Zuiderduin in Egmond aan Zee as he toppled home favourite Niels Feijen 8 – 5 to advance to Sunday evening’s semi-finals of the PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters.
Holtz, the 38 year-old from Larkhall, had a tremendous run at last year’s World Pool Championship in Manila, and is still something of an unknown quantity in world circles.
‘It’s always an advantage being the underdog. It was the same when I played at the World Pool Championship in Manila. People don’t really know me and that suits me fine’, he said. The Scotsman was always in control as Feijen felt the pressure of being home town favourite
“I know he didn’t look that comfortable yesterday and there’s a lot of pressure playing in front of your home crowd. Everyone is supporting you and that means more expectations,’ added Holtz. Holtz now faces Spain’s David Alcaide in the evening’s first semi-final. “I haven’t watched Alcaide play this weekend. I just take it rack by rack. I’m a very confident person and if I play to my ability I fear no-one’, Holtz concluded.
Germany’s Thomas Engert, a winner of this tournament in 2004, got the better of Wu Chia-ching in a high quality hill-hill match-up with both players at the top of their game. The German had been suffering with fever before the match, but prepared himself well for what was to be a tough encounter.
The 2005 double World Champion from Taipei moved into an early 2-1 lead, although Engert brought the crowd to their feet with a spectacular four rail escape from a safety. Both players kept it tight throughout as they exchanged racks.
The match turned finally with Wu leading 7-6 in the race to 8 game. After breaking he had no pot on the 1 ball and tried to put Engert in a snooker. He came up woefully short though and left the German with a full ball pocket.
Engert took it and then ran the table to tie the match at 7-all. In the ultimate rack, Engert broke and ran to secure is spot in the last four.
My throat has been sore, I’ve had a fever and my nose has been running, said Engert.
But in pool you have a chance to win. When you play another sport like running you are done but in pool you have an opportunity.
The only thing you can do is concentrate and just try to win. This was a very good victory. In the beginning he played well and I didn’t get many chances to run out the game.
Then in the middle it changed and I got a good break and had a chance for a 3-9 combination. That gave me the lead and I thought to myself ‘I’ve got a chance to win’.
I took my chances and he made a big mistake when he led 7-6 and he had the option of a push out or safety. He played a safety, which I thought he did the wrong way, and he left the 1-ball.
In the final game of the session, Amsterdam’s Nick van den Berg kept alive the Dutch dream as he came from behind to take down Italy’s Fabio Petroni in a dramatic confrontation.
The Roman was always in control but faltered in the final stages to allow van den Berg to steal the match in the final rack.
“In the beginning I didn’t play well and I felt the supporters were disappointed but I made it 4-4 and had a big chance to go 5-4, but I felt the table was rolling off a bit so I hit it hard. He then went 5-4 and then 6-4,’ he said.
‘I’ve been seeing sports psychologists and they told me that if you don’t feel you’re playing that well, then go for it and give it 100%.
‘When I scratched I heard someone in the audience shout ‘9 ball break!’ and concentration over the break shot is one of the weak parts of my game, so I hit the break much harder and scratched.
‘I’m full of adrenalin right now. I need to go eat, away from the fans and then try and relax in my room before tonight’s semi final,’ he added.

First Round
David Alcaide (Esp) 8 – 6 Ralf Souquet (Ger)
Oliver Ortmann (Ger) 8 – 3 Naoyuki Oi (Jap)
Pat Holtz (Sco) 8 – 6 Li He-wen (Chn)
Niels Feijen (Ned) 8 – 6 Imran Majid (Eng)
Wu Chia-ching (Tpe) 8 – 1 Tyler Edey (Can)
Thomas Engert (Ger) 8 – 4 Tony Drago (Mlt)
Nick van den Berg (Ned) 8 – 1 Jasmin Ouschan (Aut)
Fabio Petroni (Ita) 8 – 6 Ronnie Alcano (Phi)

Quarter Finals
David Alcaide (Esp) 8 – 3 Oliver Ortmann (Ger)
Pat Holtz (Sco) 8 – 5 Niels Feijen (Ned)
Thomas Engert (Ger) 8 – 7 Wu Chia-ching (Tpe)
Nick van den Berg (Ned) 8 – 7 Fabio Petroni (Ita)