Alok Kumar's dream run in the first leg of the San Miguel Asian 9-ball Pool tour being held in Singapore came to an end when he went down to Warren Kiamco of Philippines in the semi-finals on Sunday.
The Indian, who prefers to play the 9-ball pool with a snooker cue, could not sustain the rhythm, which saw him upset the World No 1 Francisco Bustamante in the second round, and lost 4-11.
Earlier, in the quarter-finals played late last night, the Punjab-based cueist got the better of eighth seed Chao Fong Pang of Chinese Taipei 9-8.
Alok had the fate on his side in the quarter-final match, making two golden breaks in the strangest of places -- one on a side pocket and another on the far corner bag.
The Indian, who is a predominantly a billiards and snooker player, took full advantage of his opponent's mistake to romp home winner in a keen tussle.
The five-leg tour is the only qualifying tournament in the continent for the World Pool Championship which will be held in July.
The next four legs of the tour would be held at Ho Chi Minh City (March 13-14), Hong Kong (April 17-18), Taipei (May 7-9) and Manila (May 29-30). Each stop will feature 32 of the best Asian players.