3-Cushion
EDELLIN - The Colombians still have two men in the semifinals of the Pan American championship. Huberney Catano defeated his countryman and junior world champion Juan Jose Garcia in a fantastic performance (40-24 in 15 innings with a run of 14). Henry Diaz defeated Javier Terán from Ecuador. Huberney Catano was the most impressive player in the quarters, but the most thrilling match was the fight between Ramon Rodriguez and Robinson Morales, which was decided in a penalty shootout.
The Colombian took the lead in the final phase and seemed on his way to victory. Rodriguez came back from 39-36: first with an amazing carom over seven cushions, setting the pace for a final run, but the Peruvian missed his last. That allowed Morales to close with one and Rodriguez making the draw from the break.
The penalty shootout was chilling: Morales missed his first, but Rodriguez also could not score in the first series. In the second, Morales started with two, Rodriguez answered with three and celebrated the victory with a cry of joy.
Henry Diaz ran away from Javier Terán after eleven innings (19-18). The Ecuadorian couldn't follow after the break, trailed 35-20 and lost 40-23 in 22 innings (1,818 for Diaz). Pedro Piedrabuena seems also on track for the finals with a comfortable victory over Andres Lizarazo:. 40-28 in 22. The Americans meets in the semifinals Huberney Catano, the best player in the quarters.
The matches in the semi-finals:
Ramon Rodriguez-Henry Diaz
Huberney Catano-Pedro Piedrabuena.