THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 29, 1995 TAG: 9509290651
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DWIGHT FOXX, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Don Polo didn't give himself much of a chance in his third round matchup with defending champion Efren Reyes.
He was conceding that he would be in the loser's bracket today and that Reyes would be in the winner's bracket Sweet 16.
``I get to play Reyes, the defending champion,'' Polo said. ``I would have to play the best match of my career and he would have to play the worst match of his career. He's the best offensive and defensive player in the game today.''
The results of their 11 p.m. third round match were not available at press time.
In other matches, Newport News' Charlie Williams stayed alive in the double-elimination event by defeating Dave White 11-4. Williams met Russell Parsons in a late match on Thursday night.
Williams remains cautious as he attempts to maneuver his way through the loser's bracket in his fourth U.S. Open appearance.
``This is the only sport in the world where you can go to a tournament, sit down, never play and lose,'' Williams said.
Virginia Beach's Dave Bollman was eliminated by Bob Zak 11-8.
Former champions Tom Kennedy (1992), David Howard (1982, 1986) and Mike Lebron (1988) won loser's bracket matches. Kennedy defeated Billy Aguero 11-4, Howard ousted Paul Potier 11-9 and Lebron eliminated Jimmy Wale.
Playing billiards is not Don Polo's main occupation. He's a part-time player who is a heavy equipment operator for the Cumberland County (N.J.) Road Department.
The 42-year-old Polo wishes there were more tournaments the caliber of this week's U.S. Open. He could retire from his regular job and play fulltime.
``We need three more major tournaments like tennis and golf have,'' Polo said. ``It would be like the Grand Slam in tennis.''
Polo defeated Ed Charlton 11-6 and Greg Fix 11-10 in his first two matches.
``I've been playing for years - every since I was 10 or 11 years old,'' Polo said. ``I don't play as much as I used to but I play when I can.''
The highlight of his career was a third place finish at the 1982 Miller Lite 9-Ball championships. His best finish at the U.S. Open was when he tied for seventh in 1985.
Reyes knocked him out of that tournament. To say Polo is in awe of the reigning U.S. Open champion might be an understatement.
``He just won a straight ball tournament in Portland and he doesn't even play straight ball,'' Polo said.
The tournament continues today starting at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call the Holiday Inn Chesapeake after 11 a.m. at 523-1500. by CNB