The Philippines showed Sunday night why it remains the hotbed of pool in the world as two Filipinos – Lee Van Corteza and Antonio Lining – advanced to the semifinals of the 2nd World Ten Ball Championship at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

One of the most feared money game players in the world, Corteza topped Chinese Li Hewen, 9-7, while Lining, a veteran campaigner in Japan, edged compatriot Warren Kiamco, 9-8, to barge into the Final Four of the $262,000 tournament.

With their victories from the lower and upper brackets, an all-Filipino finale is not far from becoming a reality.

The 30-year-old Corteza, who had to endure three gruelling matches in a span of six-and-a-half hours and 49 tightly-fought racks to enter the semifinals, was set to face Spanish David Alcaide for a slot in the final late Monday.

Lining, on the other hand, was to meet Finnish Mika Immonen for the other championship berth.

The Philippines has a better shot at the crown this time compared to last year’s inaugural staging.

For one, only one Filipino – Demosthenes Pulpul – made it to the semifinals last year. He did not reach the final, however, after getting beaten by Taiwan ace Wu Chia Ching.

This year won’t be different, though, as both Corteza and Lining will have their hands full against their separate fancied rivals.

Corteza, who rallied from a 2-7 deficit to beat Chang Yu-lung of Taiwan, 9-8, in the last 32 faces Alcaide, who dethroned English Darren Appleton, 9-6, in the quarterfinals and Filipino Dennis Orcullo, 9-6, in the round of 16.

Lining, on the other hand, battles Immonen, who came into the tournament as arguably the most in-form player with victories in the US Open and the Galveston Classic. He beat Russian Ruslan Chinakhov, 9-6, in the quarterfinals.