CORTEZA LAST FILIPINO STANDING IN US 10-BALL TOUR

REIGNING National Open Champion Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza clustered back to back victories yesterday in the loser’s brackets and became the last Filipino standing in the on-going 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open at the Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Los Angeles California, USA.

This after compatriots Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez followed the foot-steps of hall of famer Efren “Bata” Reyes,Ramon “Maestro Monching”Mistica, LA sports columnist Ambrosio “Jun” Almoite, George Pagulayan and Jaynard Orque who already booted out in this true double elimination, winner’s break format.

The Davao City native Corteza, top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable, eliminated fellow NBS stablemate Kiamco (9-7) and ousted Oscar Dominguez of Mexico (9-4) in their do-or die match in the one-loss side.

“Sana muli tayong suwertehin sa susunod na laban natin,” said Corteza to his long-time benefactor sportsman/ businessman Jonathan Sy, the president of the rising Negros Billiards Stable (NBS).

“ Malaki tiwala ko kay Van-Van (Corteza) alam kong mananalo siya,” said sportsman/ businessman Jonathan Sy, also co-founder of Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

Corteza, who lost to Mika “The Iceman” Immonen of Finland for the WPA World Ten-Ball tiara in Manila last November will face American Max “Mad Max” Eberle for the right to face unbeaten and another US hopeful Rodney “Rocket”Morris who is waiting in the finals.

Morris, dubbed as “Filipino giant-killer” here by stopping Reyes (9-6), Gomez (9-1) and dealt the first lost of Corteza (9-8) during their sixth round winner’s brackets match-up. Morris also beat Eberle (9-4) in the hot-seat match to advance in the finals.

The champion here will bring home the top prize of $4,000; the runner-up will get $2,500; the third placer will receive $1,500, the fourth placer will pocket $1,100, the 5^th to 8^th placer will receive $800 each.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.