PH World Pool duo de Luna, Gomez fall short of semifinals

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Filipino pool players Jeff de Luna and Roberto Gomez saw their 2021 World Cup of Pool campaign end after falling to Estonia in the quarterfinals, 9-4.

The heavyweight pairing of Denis Grabe and Mark Magi proved to be too much for the Filipinos after majestic display of pool table control.

Grabe and Magi of Estonia cruised to an early 6-1 lead and dictated the pace of the match that took the Pinoy duo out their rhythm.

De Luna and Gomez came to life after winning their fourth set but the Estonians countered with a run of their own and recovered to regain momentum at the Stadium MK in England.

The Filipinos had the chance to replicate what they did against the Americans after coming back from a 0-5 hole when Magi fumbled the 9^th ball during the 13^th set.

Gomez then fired a kissing shot to sink the ninth ball into the upper left hole but the left spin was too much as the ball bounced off the rail.

Despite the loss, de Luna and Gomez still took home 9,000 dollars as prize money for being quarterfinalists in the prestigious pool tournament.