CORTEZA BEATS MORRIS; WINS US 10-BALL TOUR; POCKETS $4,000

Monday, May 10, 2010, 6:17
Featured
Add a comment

FILIPINO Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza defeated American Rodney “Rocket” Morris, bagging the top prize of 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open at the Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Los Angeles California, USA, on Monday (Late Sunday in US Time).

The Davao City Corteza, top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable, beat Morris, 11-7, in their rematch on the final to capture the top prize of $4,000 after clinching his first major title this year.

Actually, Corteza race a 8-4 commanding lead and never looked back.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga nagdasal na mga kababayan ko po para manalo sa event na ito. Kay Boss Jo (Jonathan Sy) na matagal ng tumutulong sa local at international event ko,” said Corteza, who lost to Mika “The Iceman” Immonen of Finland for the WPA World Ten-Ball tiara in Manila last November

En route to the race-to-11, winner’s break final, Corteza, the reigning national open champion beat another American hopeful Max “Mad Max” Eberle, 9-7.

“Once again, congratulations Van-Van (Corteza). You have made every Filipino proud of your triumph,” long-time benefactor sportsman/ businessman Jonathan Sy, the president of the rising Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) said of the top player of NBS.

Other Filipinos who joined the 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open were hall of famer Efren “Bata” Reyes, 2007 World Pool Finalist Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez, Japan Champion Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, veteran campaigner Ramon “Maestro Monching”Mistica, LA sports columnist Ambrosio “Jun” Almoite, George Pagulayan and Jaynard Orque.

Corteza needed to go grueling one-loss side

sub title

After getting a bye in the first round, Corteza defeated Steve Chaplin, (9-0) , Ismael Paez (9-1), Stevie Moore , (9 – 1), and Corey Harper, (9 – 1).

He lost to Morris, (9-8), in the sixth round of winner’s side bracket.

Then he came back by beating Kiamco, ( 9 – 7), Oscar Dominguez , (9 – 5), and Max Eberle ,( 9 -7), to arrange a titular rematch showdown with Morris.

The Filipino pool sharks are schedule to play in the 2010 Party Poker World Pool Masters on May 12 to 16 and the inaugural United States Open 10-Ball Championships on May 17 to 22, both will be held at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United Sates.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO