Hohmann on Top of the WorldFinals image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/index.php?cat=14&page=10)

Manalo Undefeated for the DayManalo to face Hohmann in possible final previewIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 7 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=21)Match schedule for July 29, 2006 (/images/stories//IPT_News/day7_schedule.pdf)

Manalo Leads the Pack With 3 WinsIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 7 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=21)Match schedule for July 29, 2006 (/images/stories//IPT_News/day7_schedule.pdf)“My feelings are still the same,” Manalo reported after the fourth round, “because winning three matches is not getting into the finals. I still need one more win.” Thorsten Hohmann made quick work of Efren Reyes in the third round. Reyes appears tired, and many times during the match his cue ball was flirting with the pockets. Hohmann was up 5-1 before long but missed the 5 ball in the following rack, giving that rack to Reyes, who then broke and ran the following to make it 5-3. A dry break gave Hohmann the advantage again, and he won the next three racks in a row to win 8-3.

Manalo Orcollo Are Two for TwoIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 7 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=21)Match schedule for July 29, 2006 (/images/stories//IPT_News/day7_schedule.pdf)On the only non-televised table today, Dennis Orcollo went up against fellow countryman and legend Efren Reyes but showed no signs of intimidation. He was behind in the beginning of the match 4-3, but it wasn’t long before he took utter control, never allowing Reyes another game. Orcollo broke and ran the last two racks for an 8-4 victory. When asked about how he felt defeating Reyes, Orcollo merely said, “Of course I’m happy—he is a big player. It’s hard to beat him.”

Two Hill-Hill Matches Start the DayIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 6 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=20)Match schedule for July 29, 2006 (/images/stories//IPT_News/day7_schedule.pdf)On one table, the inscrutable Russian, Evgeny Stalev, faced off against Thorsten “The Hitman” Hohmann, the 2003 World pool Champion. Though Stalev held an early 3-1 lead, Hohmann slowly got back in the match and took over. Stalev stared off into the distance as Hohmann ran out. When the German reached the hill, he came up empty on his break, and Stalev got up to the table, one-stroking his shots. He got out of line and was forced to play safe, which ended up in a defensive battle that saw Stalev drill one of his balls cross-side. Ending up with the cue ball at one end of the table and the 8 at the other, he played safe, which turned out to be his final shot of the match, as Hohmann was able to clear the table and win 8-3.

Final Six to Return SaturdayIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 6 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=20)Match schedule for July 29, 2006 (/images/stories//IPT_News/day7_schedule.pdf)In the second group, Ralf Souquet led the pack, only losing one match to Dennis Orcollo. In the last round, Souquet matched up with big-breaking Francisco Bustamante and won 8-5. Having already taken two major titles this year, Souquet looks very strong going into Saturday’s matches.

Deciding Round Looms AheadIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 6 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=20)Match schedule for July 28, 2006 (/images/stories//IPT_News/day6_schedule.pdf)Despite his big break, Francisco Bustamante came up dry in the victory category until his 5:30 p.m. match against Daryl Peach. Both played extremely well while at the table, but Bustamante earned the 8-5 win.

Owen Scores First Win, Others Earn Their ThirdIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 6 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=20)Match schedule for July 28, 2006 (/images/stories//IPT_News/day6_schedule.pdf)“I’m worn out,” Owen stated with a smile. “I gave my first match away to Marcus, gave it away. I didn’t play that bad, I just gave away the last two games. Played good, six-six, missed a ball straight-in for the win, and then seven-six, I missed another ball. I mean, that just took the sails out of me. Manalo had several chances—I played my worst match probably last match against Manalo, and then I just played like perfect on Thorsten. Who knows? If I can win my next two, I might have a sliver of a chance, but it ain’t looking good.

Rematch Goes to HohmannIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 6 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=20)Match schedule for July 28, 2006 (/images/stories//IPT_News/day6_schedule.pdf)Interestingly, three members of Hohmann’s group—himself, Marlon Manalo, and Marcus Chamat have two wins so far, while the other half has none.

Grudge Match on the HorizonIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 6 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=20)“I should have had a six-to-one lead and was feeling real good until that,” stated Matlock afterward, “then I just made a mistake and it ended up being eight-six. I felt like I was going to win after I got that far ahead, and I knew it would be really hard to lose from there. I knew I would have opportunities—it was just a matter of taking advantage of them. You know, Francisco with his break—I am lucky to get back to the table. The rest of the matches are all tough. This is the toughest day and it’s getting tougher. These are all great players.”

Last Round Ends Some Hopes, Advances OtherRound 5 AnnouncedIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 5 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=19)Match schedule (/ipt-north-american-8-ball-championship-tournament-/content/view/3729/102/)Efren “Bata” Reyes squeaked by into Friday’s matches by virtue of a hill-hill win that had a huge throng of spectators crowded around it. Running out against Mick Hill from the U.K., Reyes came within millimeters of scratching in the corner when he pocketed the last 8 ball in the side, causing great consternation within the audience.

It All Comes Down to the Last RoundIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 5 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=19)Match schedule (/ipt-north-american-8-ball-championship-tournament-/content/view/3729/102/)“Again, I made a comeback like in the match before,” Hohmann commented. “I was lucky again—Nick missed the shot because the ball skidded on him. I don’t know, I’m not as consistent. I had some good matches, some tough run-outs, and then some bad mistakes and unforced errors.”

Kirkwood Earns a WinIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 5 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=19)Match schedule (/ipt-north-american-8-ball-championship-tournament-/content/view/3729/102/)Earl Strickland won his second match out of three today so far, dusting former snooker star Quinten Hann 8-1; however, his fellow Mosconi Cup teammate Rodney Morris lost to Evgeny Stalev 8-6. Morris’s one win today comes from an 8-6 victory over Jason Kirkwood.

Reyes Bustamante Both Suffer LossesIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 5 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=19)Match schedule (/ipt-north-american-8-ball-championship-tournament-/content/view/3729/102/)Michael Hill was responsible for defeating Bustamante, in a double-hill match that saw Bustamante hover on the hill first before Hill swept by. “I feel exhausted, to be honest,” Hill stated. “I just have to try to regroup now and get my head back on for the next match. I played great—I was up seven-four then got really nervous and tense thinking I was going to beat someone of Francisco’s class, then I missed an easy chance to win eight-four, sat in my chair, had an easy chance to win eight-six, lost it again, and then at seven each I managed to pull out a miracle.”

Strickland Goes off the AirIPT discussion forum (/forums/index.php)Day 5 image gallery (/pool_billiard_photos/thumbnails.php?album=19)Match schedule (/ipt-north-american-8-ball-championship-tournament-/content/view/3729/102/)“He got under my skin, Strickland, because he was talking to my family and saying stupid stuff,” Van den Berg affirmed afterward, “and he even tried to start a fight with my brother-in-law. Those are things you can’t do. It’s nice to see someone who is entertaining like Mike Sigel but this was just … a disgrace to the sport. That’s all I can say.”