IPT Day Four in the Books

IPT Day Four in the Books

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IPT Day Four in the Books

Sigel vs. Reyes Showdown Set

It came down to the last match between Efren Reyes and Marlon Manalo, but the King of the Hill Challenger has been named. Efren Reyes defeated Marlon Manalo 8-4 to advance to tomorrow’s $300,000 payday. The winner of the best of three, race-to-8 contest will win $200,000 while the runner up will take home $100,000.

Reyes was 3-1 going into the final round. As with previous days, the players with the best record after a day of round-robin play would advance to the next round. Manalo, undefeated through the first three days of play and the first three rounds of action today, fell to countryman Francisco Bustamante in a hard-fought battle that included a controversial call, but ended 8-7. Bustamante also handed Reyes his only loss on the day.

As the final round began, all three Filipinos had a mathematical possibility of making the cut, but when Mika Immonen downed Bustamante, 8-3, he was out of the running and all eyes—and all the pressure—switched to table 3.

Reyes found himself in a hole at the midway point of the match, but won five games in a row to get to the hill while Manalo was stalled out at 4.

Reyes had just the 8 left and turned away from the table to change cues, when the ref, thinking Reyes was leaving the table, started to clear the balls. Because there are so many cameras on all the tables, tournament director Deno Andrews was able to replace the balls in their correct positions and play resumed. Reyes pocketed the 8 and then cleared the next set to win.

Reyes clowned for the camera, wiping his brow and grabbing his chest as if to contain his pounding heart. “Pressure, pressure!” he said. “I feel good now.”

“I’m happy to be playing Sigel tomorrow, said Reyes. “My family and my relatives will be happy if I win, too,” he joked.

“I have wanted to play Sigel for a long time. He hasn’t played in a long time,” said Reyes. “I’m coming after you.”

Francisco Bustamante spoke to the TV cameras after the night’s matches. “I’m happy for Efren my friend and compadre,” he said. “I know he’s playing good. But tomorrow is a big surprise. Here we go!”

Reyes def. Manalo 8-4
Immonen def. Bustamante 8-3
Archer def Varner 8-4

Prize Money Breakdown

King of the Hill Champion - TBD $200,000

2nd Place - TBD $100,000
3rd Place - Francisco Bustamante $ 70,000
4th Place - Marlon Manalo $ 60,000
5th Place - Johnny Archer $ 50,000
6th Place - Mika Immonen $ 40,000
7th Place - Nick Varner $ 30,000

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