Ralf Souquet

Ralf Souquet – World No. 2 Ralf Souquet, Darren Appleton and Nick Van Den Berg pounded out morale-boosting victories as Team Europe rallied to draw level with Team Asia, 5-5, in the penultimate day of the Asia vs Europe 9-Ball Team Challenge at Rizqun International Hotel in Brunei. Putting behind their so-so performance on opening day, the European pool sharks played with sense of urgency last Saturday to turn the battle for the $27,000 (P1.2 million) top purse a wide open race. Team Europe trailed 2-3 on Day 1 where five doubles matches were played but drew level on Day 2 after winning three out of the five singles matches. While momentum could be on their side heading into the final day, Team Europe captain Souquet remained wary of their chances. It will be anybodys game tomorrow (Sunday). Team Asia has the capability to pull of a surprise, the five-time world pool champion said. But well try our best to win. Souquets counterpart, Efren Bata Reyes, agrees. It is an open game tomorrow (Sunday) as we are currently drawn 5-5. So I hope my teammates will play better. Team Europe are all good players but I still believe in my team, said the 55-year-old Reyes, arguably the greatest pool player in the world. Day 2 proved to be a see-saw battle for both squads as Team Asia won matches 1 and 3, with Team Europe taking No. 2 and 4 before cruising to victory in the deciding fifth game. Team Asia started the ball rolling with Taiwans Lu Hui Chen winning over Englands Imran Majin, 5-4. But Souquet levelled the score at 1-all with a 5-1 thumping of Francisco Django Bustamante, before Bruneis Teo Chee Son got the lead back for Asia with a 5-2 beating of Ruslan Chnahov of Russia. But that proved to be Asias last hurrah as Team Europe took the next two matches courtesy of Nick Van Den Bergs 5-3 win over Reyes and Darren Appletons 5-4 triumph over Taiwans Ko Pin Yi.