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Rañola on a roll
Source : Staff   
Sunday, 03 August 2008 16:00

Iris RañolaDIMINUTIVE Iris Rañola continued her amazing run in the 2008 WPBA US Open 9-Ball Championships with a rousing 7-2 win over Sarah Ellerby in the quarterfinals at the Riverwind Casino in Norman, Oklahoma.

In only her second WPBA pro-event, Rañola is making her mark as the new Giant Killer, defeating both defending champion Allison Fischer and world’s no. 1 Ga Young Kim in nerve-wracking 9-8 victories.

The Filipina, who honed her skills in Manila playing against the men, has clearly benefited from it, said Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, who supports Rañola just as he has done through the years for top players, including Efren “Bata” Reyes and Django Bustamante.

Rañola faces another newcomer Yu Ram Cha, who defeated veteran Karen Corr, 7-5, in their quarterfinal showdown.

Anne Craig of the WPBA filed this report on the Rañola-Ellerby match.

“Iris won the lag and broke, making a ball, but was forced to push out. Sarah attempted a safety but left Iris a bank shot which she made. Looking very calm, she easily pocketed the subsequent 7 balls to take the first game of the match. Game 2 saw Sarah answer back just as calmly, running out after pocketing a ball on her break, despite an errant flash from the audience [who had been warned about such things!] tying the score at one-all.

“For the second time this tournament, Iris snapped the 9-ball in taking the one-game advantage, 2-1, and Sarah wryly looked on. After Sarah broke in 4, she attempted a 1/9 combination, missing but leaving Iris a kick shot. Iris tried for the one-rail kick but failed to hit the ball giving Sarah ball-in-hand. Sarah proceeded to knock down each ball until missing the 5, leaving it in the pocket for Iris. The 6, 8 and 9 were no problem and Iris jumped out 3-1.”
 
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