2006 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

by Mason King

ISLANDTHE POOL-CRAZY HOSTED THE 2200600FEVER6 WORLDWORLD POOLPOOL CHAMPIONSHIPCHAMPIONSHIP AND CROWNED A NATIVE SON AS VICTOR. BUT NOT THE ONE YOU’D EXPECT. FAVORITES FADED QUICKLY, AND A NEW WAVE OF SHOOTERS WHIPPED THE CROWD INTO A FRENZY. photos by Lawrence Lustig

42 BD • JANUARY 2007

WWPC_final.inddPC_final.indd 4242 112/10/062/10/06 2:21:242:21:24 PMPM Smack down: Reyes packed the stands early (left) but Alcano had the last peck.

ALF SOUQUET sat motionless and Championship found itself in the eye the local and regional networks — a salt- silent, sealed off from the commo- of a “perfect storm,” as it played out of-the-earth native son had advanced to Rtion and racket around him. Nearby, Nov. 4-12 at the Philippine International meet Souquet in the final: wiry and wily a thousand Filipino pool fans jostled Convention Center in steamy . Ronnie Alcano of the Philippines. for a better seat or a better view of the The pool-crazy Philippines hosted the Of course, if anyone could withstand impending final for the 2006 World Pool event for the first time, just as the next the pressure of playing against an entire Championship, packing a 600-seat arena generation of hungry Pinoy players was country, it was the sagacious Souquet. and standing four-deep on a wide over- emerging from local poolhalls, hoping to No pool player had traveled more miles, head balcony. prove themselves worthy of the nation’s played in more places, and won so many Souquet hid in a vacant playing stage established giants. No fewer than 21 times. He claimed the WPC title in 1996 next to the arena stands, a refuge walled Filipinos earned spots in the field of 128, at the age of 27, and he finished runner- off by risers of empty seats. He sat with by far the most of any of the 43 participat- up in 2001. Good old Ralf — he’d been 2006 WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP his bald head bowed. Meditating, pre- ing nations. Their countrymen crammed there, done that. sumably. From overhead in the cavern- the stands, chanting “Phil-i-ppines” dur- “He can handle this,” said German ous convention center, he looked like ing matches and unfurling their flag from countryman , his voice a a stationary dot on a weather map — a the balconies. Neighboring Asian nations tight rasp as he tried to speak above the quiet coastal town, as a giant, swirling also were on the rise as pool powers, and hubbub on the balcony. Forty feet below, storm coalesced just off his shore and they sent dozens of print journalists and Souquet continued his imitation of a threatened to sweep him away. broadcasters to cover the event. And to Buddhist monk. In a sense, the 2006 World Pool nearly everyone’s delight — especially “He knows what he has to do,” Engert

BD • JANUARY 2007 43

WWPC_final.inddPC_final.indd 4343 112/10/062/10/06 2:21:402:21:40 PMPM 2006 WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP

I was successful in not breaking down and crying.”

LCANO REALLY had no business being Ain the final. Even in the Philippines, hardly anyone outside of local pool cir- cles could tell him apart from Jharome Pena or Jeff De Luna or Rudy Morta or any of the other dozen or so talented but faceless Pinoy hopefuls. He certainly wasn’t a Filipino superstar in the league of former world champs and , or longtime pool icon . The 2006 World Pool Championship was supposed to be Reyes’ tournament. The 52-year-old Hall-of-Famer merited a No. 2 seed in the 128-man field, behind 17-year-old defending champion Wu Chia-Ching of Taiwan, but Reyes was the sentimental favorite by a wide margin. He also was the odds makers’ choice, and for good reason — Reyes had played some of the best pool of his career over the pre- vious 12 months, winning several major events and a mind-bending $850,000 in prize money. By hosting the WPC, many in the Philippines hoped to coronate their beloved “Bata” on home soil. The Philippines needs heroes, and Yen Makabenta, the Filipino pool guru and businessman who brought the event to Manila for the first time, realized that the WPC could create more than one. He was most interested in showcasing the Philippines’ strength as a whole, and in the context of all the emerging pool powerhouses across Asia. Reyes walked the walk, but he coudn't sink the shots against upstart Alcano. “I think Asia is going to be the hotbed of pool for years and years to come,” continued. “Believe me. He knows how ders and hope to run through 17 racks said Makabenta, who is the chairman of to handle this thing. When he wants to before Souquet? the Billiard and Congress of the be the best, and when he wants to win a Over the three-and-a-half-hour final, Philippines. tournament, he’s unbelievable.” Alcano would shrug off the pressure that Through his sports promotions firm Many of the other scattered gringos doomed his better-known countrymen Raya Sports & Events, Makabenta paid from the West believed it as well. Souquet and play the match of his life on the a $1.1 million site fee to regional broad- is too disciplined, they said. The pressure biggest stage of his career. The kid who caster ESPN Star, and spent another will get to Alcano. His resume is nothing grew up penniless in the barrio of the $200,000 to cover logistical requirements to lose sleep over — a few titles, mostly nearly Laguna province would become of the event. He planned to cover the in Asia. He’ll fold like a napkin. the biggest star in the Philippines and expense with advertising and sponsorship Idly setting up bank shots on a practice pocket $100,000 — an immense sum in dollars. table, Alcano barely looked like he could this Third World nation. “When we invested in this, we were not support his own weight. Although 34, he After sinking the final 9 ball in his investing in it only for one time,” he said. had the gangly form of a 15-year-old, dominating 17-11 victory, Alcano briefly “I projected we would suffer a shortfall in and he often shifted his shoulders as if shot his hands up to the ceiling. But then the first year, but we were aiming to host his body was an ill-fitting prom suit. He it was his turn to go blank. He quickly the championship for at least one or two looked like a funhouse-mirror version of sat back down, his mouth flattening to a more years.” his hero Efren Reyes — the same inscru- thin crease. The third party in the deal was U.K.- table, toothless face, but with the torso “I was holding back tears,” he said. “I based Matchroom Sport, which owns the stretched out to bean-pole proportions. did not know this is how it feels to be worldwide TV rights to the Championship How could this guy put the hopes of 86 a world champion. I tried to control my and organizes the event. Barry Hearn, million countrymen on his spindly shoul- emotions all throughout the match, and chairman of Matchroom, welcomed the

44 BD • JANUARY 2007

WWPC_final.inddPC_final.indd 4444 112/10/062/10/06 2:24:242:24:24 PMPM shift in locale from Taiwan in 2004 and “There is a lot of pressure 2005 to the pool-steeped Philippines. playing in the Philippines,” “It’s like bringing the sport back to he said. “People here in the where it all began,” he said. “I like the Philippines are expecting me enthusiasm of the people. The site itself to win. So I am ashamed to is a terrific venue. I like that [Makabenta] lose, you know.” took a chance and gambled on it.” As per usual in the con- As far as generating local interest, trolled chaos of the round- the Filipino players didn’t disappoint. robin stage, pool fans could Twelve Filipinos qualified for the field percolate on several divert- through conventional means, and another ing subplots — some all too nine earned spots either as substitutes for familiar. In what will come players who dropped out of the event, or as no shock to any follow- through a 10-tournament qualifier event ers of pro pool, mercurial in Manila just prior to the championship. American All eyes, of course, were on Reyes. And lost his cool in his first-round it turned out that the legend didn’t enjoy match. In this instance, the attention. Strickland was handed a warning from referee Nigel HE TOURNAMENT began with a round- Rees for consistently fiddling Trobin stage, dividing the field into 32 with his cue while opponent groups of four players each. And for the Vincent Facquet was shoot- second straight year, “The Magician” ing. Strickland then said, “I performed a disappearing act. don’t care; I’m out of here,” Reyes’ first match was against unseeded and then stormed from the American Tony Crosby. Cheered on by a arena, ceding the match to crowd of more than 600, Reyes appeared Facquet. nervous as he missed a number of gimme In day two, his temper ade- shots. In the end, he dogged a simple quately primed, Strickland True colors: Scotsman Holtz paid tribute to home. 9 ball to effectively hand the match to performed a full flip-out against Taiwan’s trouble finding the 1 ball after his break, Crosby, 8-7. Ying-Chieh Chen. His often outrageous he decided to try a soft break to bring In 2005, Reyes lost his first two round- behavior included throwing his cue to both the 1 and cue ball back up table robin matches and couldn’t recover in the ground after visits to the table, swear- while the rest of the pack mingled below time to earn a spot in the top-64, single- ing to the audience, and then threaten- the foot spot. The result: an 8-2 victory, ing to hit Chen over the and a ticket to the next stage. head with his cue when his opponent refused to shake VEN IN the field of 64, Alcano was an his hand after Strickland’s Eafterthought of sorts. Twelve Filipinos 8-6 win. The display earned waltzed into the first single-elimination Strickland an official warn- round — almost 20 percent of the survi- ing from the World Pool- vors. Several favorites were still in play, Billiard Association, the including Reyes, Bustamante and Marlon sanctioning body of the Manalo, third-place finisher in 2005. event, and prompted an Keeping pace, Taiwan also placed 12 apology from the tarnished shooters in the mix, including defending “Pearl.” champion Wu — or at least two-thirds The two players in each of him. The wunderkind had dropped 60 group with the best records pounds since the last WPC with a strict — by virtue of matches won diet of protein, fruits and vegetables, and and total racks both won sported a newly svelte physique. and lost — would move The American squad was lost in the on. Alcano appeared to be shuffle. In fact, one could say they got out of the tournament after lost on the way from the Manila air- first losing to Luong Chi port. Of the 12 U.S. players slated for A warning from Rees, right, sent Strickland storming. Dung of Vietnam, 8-7, and the event, Gabe Owen, Charlie Bryant elimination stage. This year — to the Germany’s Christian Reimering, 8-3. But and Shawn Putnam declined their invita- blue-faced relief of a nation holding its after doing the math in the tight bracket, tions for health-, financial-, and travel- breath — Reyes righted his ship with two he realized that if he beat final opponent related reasons. During the round-robin wins and navigated a route to the knock- Marcel Martens of The Netherlands by a stage, the group lost Crosby, Rodney out rounds. But he knew he needed to score of 8-2, he would squeak through. Morris, Mike Davis, and Robb Saez. That conquer that queasy feeling playing in His strategy would have to change, left Strickland, , Charlie front of the hometown crowd. however. Noting that he was having Williams, Cory Deuel and Jeremy Jones.

BD • JANUARY 2007 45

WWPC_final.inddPC_final.indd 4545 112/10/062/10/06 3:23:423:23:42 PMPM 2006 WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP

Each had plenty of international He’s very daring. In a way it’s good experience — and each crashed in — you can see that he isn’t very ner- the first knock-out round. vous. But sometimes he can be too “It’s so hard to come all the confident.” way over here,” said Deuel of His results started to improve, how- America’s worst showing ever at ever. He won the Manila leg of the San the Championship. “The guys have Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour in 2005, as 15- to 20-hour flights, and when you well as two gold medals in the 2005 get over here, you can’t sleep. I per- South East Asian Games. Winning sonally woke up at 4 a.m. every day. qualifiers for both International Pool It was really hard to get into it. Tour events in 2006, he ended up “And all these [Asian] players earning an impressive $57,000 and play good, too. … It’s just com- No. 14 ranking. ing down to who is spending more During the World Pool time practicing, and who is shoot- Championship, Verna drilled him ing straighter, They take it a little with inspirational messages: “Every bit more serious over here. They all day I keep on texting him, ‘This is have coaches, and they’re praised your time. You have the game, and by their countrymen. Over in the this is your chance to shine, so don’t States, Americans don’t care too waste it. Prove to them that you are much about pool players. It’s not the man now.’” like we have a bunch of people try- But he was going to do it on his ing to coach us and help us.” terms. Call it confidence, or stick- Of course, Deuel noted, the con- ing with a comfortable routine, but cepts of “coaching” and “practic- Alcano reportedly could be seen play- ing” are alien in the Philippines. New Wu: The defending champ lost 60 pounds. ing money matches at the nearby One Players are reared on a steady diet of Side poolhall after play at the WPC money matches in the country’s pervasive they never had before — money and the was completed on some days. gambling culture. And they learn a wide means to travel outside the Philippines variety of shots and ways to win while for tournaments and more seasoning. OUQUET HAD long ago sworn off playing on often-substandard equipment. Alcano wasn’t exactly a stranger to the Saction, if he ever entertained it at all. Alcano matriculated under those kinds U.S., but the Marianos provided him with Embodying all 12 tenets of the Boy Scout of conditions while growing up in a good career guidance and kept his head Law, Souquet fit into the Philippines’ cement-block house in the seaside prov- on straight. hustler culture about as well as Pope ince of Laguna. A few years ago, he fell “He’s an entertainer, and he sometimes Benedict would fit in the girlie shows that under the wing of Bugsy Promotions, a does silly things,” Verna Mariano said. littered metro Manila. small managerial outfit based in Quezon “He loves to please the crowd. I think that No money games for Ralf. He and City. Owned by nightclub entrepreneur is sometimes the problem. He’s so good, compatriot Engert stuck close to their Perry Mariano and his wife, Verna, Bugsy but sometimes he doesn’t take things so hotel and the tourist sights throughout kept a handful of players in its stable and seriously. That is the reason he doesn’t the event, and quickly fell into their road provided many of them with something make it to the top. … He is so confident. rhythms. For example, Souquet would PARTY CRASHERS No one expected to see these guys in the semis — more proof of Asian parity in pool. Fu Chei-wei (Taiwan) Liu Cheng-chuan (Taiwan) Li He-wen (China) (Vietnam) Dung Chi Luong

Nicknamed “The Draw Shot King,” 33- After reaching the top 32 at the 2005 Nicknamed “Doraemon” after a Japanese After making a splash at the World Cup year-old Fu beat , Chao World Pool Championship, the 32-year-old cartoon character, the talented 26-year- of Pool this year by pushing Vietnam to a Fong-Pang, and Rodolfo product of Taiwan’s intense pool-training old Li made his debut at the WPC this third-place fi nish, 21-year-old Dung ful- Luat on his way to a third-place fi nish. industry fi nished tied-for-fi fth in Manila. year, fi nishing tied-for-third. fi lled expectations with a fi fth-place run.

46 BD • JANUARY 2007

WWPC_final.inddPC_final.indd 4646 112/10/062/10/06 3:23:293:23:29 PMPM A small army of shutterbugs covered the WPC and Alcano's run.

eat the same food for breakfast every form. Within minutes, Reyes had recov- champ Wu, who was working his own morning — soup, dumplings and sweets ered to 6-4 and was running out to further clothing mojo. Like Tiger Woods, he — and even sit at the same table in the narrow the gap. But an ill-advised shot had adopted the habit of wearing a red hotel dining room. on the 7 in the side pocket clanged at the shirt when playing. After Wu shellacked After a strong year on the men’s cir- jaws, and Alcano cleared the table to take Holtz, 11-6, Taiwanese journalists pre- cuit, Souquet kept his stride in Manila. back the momentum. sented Wu with a spare red shirt to help After winning all three of his round-robin Alcano later said that during his 10-7 ensure another title run. matches, he handled of The win he had an epiphany: “If I can beat Once the field was whittled to the eight Netherlands, 10-3, and knocked off legiti- Efren, I can beat anyone.” players in the quarterfinals, one could mate threat Yang Ching-Shun of Taiwan, have forgiven Matchroom officials if they 10-8. And it wasn’t lost on him that his LCANO WASN’T the only player making had presented competitors with shirts previous world title came a decade ear- Aa statement by reaching the top 16. with nametags sewn on. Souquet and Wu lier, although he would never admit to In a remarkable bit of evidence for the wouldn’t be able to sneak up on anyone, looking ahead to the final. growing parity in the international pool and Alcano and Luat were known quanti- “It would be nice [to win] after a 10- community, players from 11 different ties in some circles, but the remaining year break, but I’m not really thinking countries earned a spot in the final 16. four weren’t on anyone’s radar (see side- about it,” he said. “I’m just seeing it from Of course, Asian players showed their bar on page 46). match to match. I’m looking forward to new dominance, with nine competitors In a competition that was becoming as my match tomorrow. I try only to think still kicking. Taiwan accounted for four unpredictable as snowstorms in August, from match to match, because when I of them, and the Philippines boasted the bespectacled Li He-wen from China start thinking about what could happen in three — Alcano, 49-year-old Rodolfo came from the farthest regions of left the future, you may lose focus on the first Luat, and 22-year-old Jeff de Luna. field. In the first year that Chinese play- step, which is the most important one.” China and Vietnam also posted repre- ers had competed in the Championship, That could have been Reyes’ problem sentatives. The remaining seven were a the 26-year-old Li seemed an unlikely when he ran into Alcano in the round- mish-mash of Westerners from Scotland, trailblazer with his computer-nerd looks, of-32. “Bata” was not his normal self, Germany, Serbia, Canada, Russia, Spain monosyllabic attitude and slightly lost spraying shots around the perimeters and England. expression. His strangely appropriate of the tight pockets on the Brunswick It was easy to pick Scotsman Pat Holtz nickname was “Doraemon,” after a chub- Metro table. Reyes dogged six or seven out of the lineup — he was wearing a by Japanese cartoon character. entirely makeable shots, and in the pro- blue-and-white kilt in the pattern of his But Li had a strong rep. He reportedly cess began to lose his form — popping nation’s flag. was ranked No. 1 in China, and had fin- up from shots just after making contact “It’s a traditional thing for the Scotsman ished second to Reyes in 2006 at the Ho with the cue ball, and steering shots who qualifies for the Championship,” the Chi Minh stop of the San Miguel Asian with his cue. 37-year-old Holtz said in heavy brogue. 9-Ball Tour. Alcano vaulted to a 6-1 lead, and then “It’s my lucky charm.” In the quarterfinals, he controlled hung on as Reyes temporarily regained Holtz unfortunately ran into defending his match with Vietnam’s Luong Chi

BD • JANUARY 2007 47

WWPC_final.inddPC_final.indd 4747 112/10/062/10/06 3:27:563:27:56 PMPM 2006 WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP

Dung from the beginning, winning 11-7. last hope, as Luat had fallen to Taiwan’s at hill-hill. Phenomenally controlled and Equally surprising, Wu suffered an 11- Fu Che-wei, 11-7. And Wu’s departure consistent, like most of Taiwan’s assem- 6 meltdown against Alcano. He never certainly opened the door for Souquet, bly-line pool talents, Liu recovered from got on track, torpedoing his chances by who bested Taiwan’s Liu Cheng-Chuan, an 8-5 deficit and tied it up at 10-10, only scratching whenever he seemed to get a 11-8. From this point on, Souquet was to be forced to cede the break to Souquet head of steam. And he got a taste of what the favorite. in the alternating-break format. Souquet his opponents must have felt during his broke and ran to the 4 ball, but needed to championship run in Taiwan, as Alcano’s HE CRITICAL shot in Souquet’s semi- break up a 5-6 cluster with his leave. The Filipino countrymen packed the arena Tfinal match with Liu — the shot that cue ball made contact, but not enough to and overhead balconies, cheering loudly would instantly become known as “The nudge the 5 free. Thus began a 20-minute at any Wu mistake. Shot” among spectators and TV com- chess match of safeties, culminating in a Alcano by that time was the Philippines’ mentators — came with the score knotted wide-open look at the 5 for Souquet. This wasn’t any open look. This was a take-a-bathroom-break-and-rethink-your- career-choice open look. Souquet faced one of the toughest shots in pool, with the cue ball near the middle of the head rail and the 5 ball close to the foot spot. He seriously considered playing safe for a moment. “I decided I’d rather go for it and take the chance,” he later said. Souquet speared the shot with authority and cleaned up for the win, putting him in the final. You wouldn’t know from his expression, however. Placid as ever. “He wants to win the title, believe me,” Engert explained. “He wants to do it again. When you do it once, it can be a lucky tournament for you, but when you do it again, you are for sure a world champion. “I’ve known him for 26, 27 years. I said three days ago — when I saw him playing, the way he was acting, how he is with me when we’re not in the arena — I know he will win.” Meanwhile, the Marianos were put- ting their faith in fate, figuring Alcano’s close shave in the round-robin stage was just some cosmic prank in advance of a life-defining victory. “Maybe this is his destiny,” Verna said. Li certainly helped Alcano’s cause. He blew several makeable shots as Alcano opened up an early lead. With Alcano on the hill at 10-8, Li sank the 8 ball, only to roll the cue ball up to the 9. He missed the extreme cut by several inches and scratched to boot. The only thing left was to concede the match. A huge contingent of autographs hounds and back-slappers now shadowed both Souquet and Alcano as they headed for their pre-final press conference. Most of the Asian press also made requests for signatures, usually right on their ID badges. Anticipating a home-crowd frenzy on the following day, Souquet allowed, “I know that the crowd will be totally against me. I actually like the idea of being the

48 BD • JANUARY 2007

WWPC_final.inddPC_final.indd 4848 112/10/062/10/06 2:32:242:32:24 PMPM underdog. … As long as they don’t throw game deficit would be all but impos- few more words before he was overcome stuff at me, I think I’ll be okay.” sible. At the three-hour mark, Souquet with emotion. He wiped his face with his Alcano said that he hoped the crowd mustered the hint of a comeback, trailing hands, unable to speak. Spontaneously, would be respectful of Souquet. And he 14-9, but his hopes sank with the cue ball the audience began chanting “Sou-quet! acknowledged the pressure that the audi- on a scratch at 15-9. Sou-quet! Sou-quet!” until the stoic ence would exert on him. Alcano remained steady. At 15-10, German finally raised his hands and “Are you aware that 86 million Filipinos he put on a show, sinking a cross-side waved to the crowd. expect you to win?” a reporter “Thank you, that means a lot to asked. me,” he said. “I think [Alcano] Alcano nodded and said softly, really deserved this title this “I know.” year. He played great. My goal He must not have been too will still be to win the World worried, however. Alcano was Championships. Hopefully I can spotted early the next morning do it here in the Philippines.” goofing around on the street with his pals near the One Side pool- HAT’S VERY possible. Maka- hall. Don’t tell Verna. Tbenta anticipated losses of only $100,000 from his first stint RUE TO Alcano’s wishes, the hosting the WPC, and was eager Tdoor-busting crowd of 1,000 for a second chance. Although gave Souquet a rousing welcome talks were still under way in when he was introduced at the December, Matchroom officials final. Alcano, looking well rested were confident they could come and relaxed, received a standing to an agreement. ovation. Potential advertisers and spon- The first two racks encapsulat- sors certainly would be impressed ed the race-to-17 match. Souquet with the numbers. Early ratings won the lag and broke. He sank data from ESPN Star estimat- the 7 and 8, but had no clear ed that about 89 million peo- shot for the 1. He played safe, ple viewed the championship watched Alcano play a better across Asia, a marked improve- safety, and then left the 1 exposed ment over telecasts in 2004 and after a tough kick shot. Alcano 2005. According mopped up for the first game. to Makabenta, Then Alcano had his turn with Filipino TV offi- the , again employing the cials guesstimated soft break that consistently left that about a third the 1 ball by the right side pocket of the nation’s and the cue ball in the middle of population — 30 Souquet couldn't catch a break on the table. The rest of the balls his break, leading to a tearful end. million or so — were equally compliant, falling tuned in. into tight but manageable patterns. bank and a one-rail kick on Of course, a Alcano had passed the first test, not the way to his runout. As he Filipino champion showing any signs of stiffening. He had lined up the 9 ball, the audi- helps Makabenta’s the touch of a jeweler, dissecting the ence admonished itself to cause as he tries to table with precise strokes. Souquet might “Shhhhhhh,” and then roared rally more support as well have been playing with a sledge- “Ron-nie! Ron-nie!” after the 9 dropped. from big business in the Philippines. hammer. He couldn’t find his speed on The ending for Souquet was mercifully “It really got the country behind the the break, and on position shots he con- short, as he sank the 9 on his subsequent event,” Makabenta said. “Sport has sistently lost control of the cue ball, break, and then watched Alcano drill a become a unifier here in the Philippines. which usually rolled long when he wasn’t 1-9 combo in the next rack for the cham- Every time a sports phenomenon emerges underhitting to correct the problem. pionship. here, it unifies everyone around it.” A buzz started to build in the stands as An ESPN Star commentator took That much was evident as Alcano Alcano took an 8-2 lead. Souquet aside after the match for an on- obliged a giant scrum of fans by signing “My game plan was to try to get the camera interview and laid out the obvi- autographs for well over an hour. Bleary- breaks and take a two- or three-game ous: “Your luck seemed to run out in this eyed and somewhat dazed, Alcano began lead,” Alcano said later. “When I finally final. You were breaking very well, but to contemplate his new life as Filipino got a six-rack lead, I felt comfortable, but you never saw the 1 ball.” hero. It had its perks. I knew it wasn’t over.” Souquet paused, bowed his head and “I’m trying to figure out what I need No, it was over when Alcano extended said, “That is true.” The crowd laughed. to do with the money,” he said, “because his advantage from 9-4 to 12-5. With alter- “I don’t know what to say. It’s very frus- this is the first time that I’ve had this nating break, recovering from a seven- trating,” Souquet continued, mumbling a much money.”

BD • JANUARY 2007 49

WWPC_final.inddPC_final.indd 4949 112/10/062/10/06 2:32:412:32:41 PMPM