The World 10-Ball Championship is in the 64-Player Single Elimination Rounds in Manila

Every pool player dreams of becoming a World Champion. At the 2009 10-Ball World Championships, 112 of the world’s strongest pool players all began their journey for this title in the billiards holy ground that is the Philippines. Pool is their national pastime, similar to how American’s value and appreciate baseball. The 10-Ball World Championships is taking place at the World Trade Center in Manila, a city that has a rich history and culture, and the word is that they are rolling out the red carpet for the professional pool players and their fans.

The practice facility provided for these top players is located in nearby Quezon City–The Star Billiards Center, where the top names in Filipino pool gather to train. This 40-table room offers them free table time, free food, wireless internet access and a café with dining area. But perhaps the most striking part of the room is its mascot. “Tiger,” as he is aptly named, is a six-month-old Siberian tiger that has the roam of the room.

Read on to find out who has made it to the 64-player single-elimination round at the World 10-ball Championships…

On Day Two players started to be eliminated from competition by going two and out. Perhaps the biggest surprise was the early exit by American player Shane Van Boening. Van Boeing lost today to young Russian superstar Konstantin Stepanov 9-6.  Martin Kempter of Austria lost a match on the hill to Tey Choon Kat of Singapore.  Another disappointment to the crowd came when local hero Demosthenes Pulpul faced off against Ronnie Alcano in a match that had to eliminate one Filipino. That would be Pulpul as Alcano prevailed 9-5.

There were smiling faces on the other end of the charts as many players have won two matches and thus qualified for the final round of 64. Names here include Dennis Orcullo (PHI), Kuo Po-Cheng (TPE), defending champion Darren Appleton (GBR), Niels Feijen (NED), Ernesto Dominguez (USA), Lee Van Corteza (PHI), Alain Martel (CAN), Thorsten Hohmann (GER), and the British duo of Karl Boyes and Imran Majid.

After three days of hard play, 64 of players remain in a single-elimination 64 bracket field , which will increase tension and toughen competition with each round.

Thirty-two of these players are thus far undefeated and will be seeded into the final brackets according to their performance up to this point. The other 32 players are subjected to a blind draw to determine whom they will face in the matches tomorrow.

There will be many exciting matches on Saturday. Filipino hotshot Jericho Banares will play Thorsten Hohmann on the first TV match of the day. Other TV matches will feature Lee Van Corteza against Konstantin Stepanov and Oscar Dominguez will do battle with Dennis Orcullo.

The outside tables will find, among others, Team CSI American Grand Master team member, Corey Deuel squared off with Filipino sensation Antonio Lining, “The Terminator” Niels Feijen facing back to back US Open champion”The Iceman” Mika Immonen in a match between two giants. UK top player Imran Majid versus Filipino fan favorite Ronnie Alcano, “The Kaiser” Ralf Souquet against “The Mexican” Ignacio Chavez. Marcus Chamat of Sweden will play Kuo Po-Cheng and Spain top player David Alcaide will have to fade Filipino superstar Antonio Gabica.

Fans will be watching to see which players are able to remain in their pace and which will succumb to the nerves of the moment. As a symbol of strength, beauty and fearlessness… the mascot “Tiger” serves as a reminder that each player will have to remain hungry and determined on their quest to be crowned King of the Jungle… earning the honor of being named 2010 World 10-Ball Champion.