HO CHI MINH - The language was Spanish, the day trip was meant to relax between two billiard rounds and soak up some culture in the abundant green Ho Chi Minh surroundings. Three Spaniards and two Colombians went out for a day among billiard friends. Carlos Anguita, Carlos Crespo, Mario Mercader, Robinson Morales and Jose Juan Garcia took a two-hour drive from the metropolis where the World Cup is played with its crazy traffic. A visit to My Tho, the Mekong delta, the Mangrove forests and a boat trip over one of the characteristic rivers. "It felt like an adventure in the jungle" was the enthusiastic reaction of Morales and Anguita.
The Spanish billiard players all suffered an unfortunate start at the World Cup in Ho Chi Minh, the Colombians entered the billiard arena today, Thursday. Robinson Morales, "The day was spectacular, it was an unforgettable tour." Carlos Anguita "We went to My Tho, two hours away from Ho Chi Minh, a busy market town on the north bank of the Tien Giang, the northernmost arm from the Mekong. It was a day of relaxing, enjoying the nature of the country and learning something about the history of the four islands in the Mekong delta. For us it was important to take a break from the tournament."
The three Spaniards don't have the best memory to this World Cup. Anguita, Crespo and Mercader were eliminated in their first pre-rounds. Carlos Anguita, ''I was disappointed, of course, because I didn't play well. But at the same time I realize that I just came over from the juniors, I am 22 years old, I do my best and want to enjoy my beautiful sport. Good and bad days belong to that. I have to be able to live with that. Most of all, I am very happy with the support that I receive from Spain, from my girlfriend and mother. We're looking forward to the next performance."
Mario Mercader was eliminated somewhat unluckily, without losing a match: a win and a draw. Carlos Crespo had an off-day, normally he plays on a much better level than than he did now in Ho Chi Minh. Carlos Anguita: "We don't want to apologize, it just wasn't good enough, even though it's a different situation with a lot of heat, that we're not used to in Spain."
Robinson Morales and Jose Juan Garcia enter the tournament today, Thursday. Morales plays against the strong Vietnamese Duc Anh Chien Nguyen and the Egyptian Riad Nady, Garcia against the Dutchman Barry van Beers and the Greek Nikos Polychronopoulos.
