Carom
SANTIAGO - The key players in the Pan-American championship, the defending champion and the other qualifiers have made the kick-off in the last phase before the main tournament. The Colombian Daniel Morales, born in Manizales and later moved to Bogota, made the strongest impression in the opening rounds. Het was the best winner, beating Alejandro Caravajal from Chile 2-0 with 2.000 average. The third player in that group is the Peruvian Oscar Pachas.
The tournament has started without the Americans and without big contenders as Pedro Piedrabuena and Hugo Patino. The USBA (American federation) had planned the national championships in Las Vegas in the same weekend as the Panamericans. The national tournament, which will be played at the Tropicana hotel in the gambling city, couldn't be cancelled.
Javier Teran describes the ambiance in the club Billiards and coffee club Billiard Nunoa in Santiago as very cosy and excellent to perform on high level. ,,It is a small room, where the four tables are, but the entourage is very good. I think there will be a great battle in the main tournament, with many players who fight for the title. The tournament has started with many great players and contenders, despite the absence of the Americans.''
The favorites for the title survived the first round almost all, even though Javier Teran, the defending champion and Robinson Morales lost one set in their matches. Henry Diaz, last year the highest in average, suffered a surprising defeat, 2-1 against Manuel Lindao who finished 1.357 average.
Cristopher Tevez from Peru was one of the shining stars of the day with a brilliant victory over Ludvig Herrera from Boliva: 2-0, 1.875, a highest run of eleven.
Robinson Morales slipped in the deciding set along Idelfonso Alvarez (2-1, 1.375 average), Javier Teran along Julian Torres (2-1, 1.333), Merlin Romero (against Claudio Graues), Alexander Salazar (against Leopoldo Rojas) and Carlos Campino (against Jose Torreblanca) all won 2-0.
The group stage with 48 players, divided into sixteen groups of three, continues today. Two players from each group advance to the main tournament, which will be played according to the knock-out system.