RP’S CORTEZA BEATS CHINESE LO; RULES US OPEN 10-BALL TOUR; POCKETS $20,000

FILIPINO Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza defeated Chinese Hi Wen-lo , 13-12, in their rematch on the final to rules the just concluded 2010 US Open 10-ball championship at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada, USA yesterday.

“Winning a tournament wherein you have to compete against the world’s bests players is a very big accomplishment, and I’m very happy for this win,” said Corteza, the top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiard Stable.

“I got my confidence after winning against Van Boening (Shane),” said Corteza, who also edged American hopeful Shane “The South Dakota Kid” Van Boening, 9-8, in their loser’s side encounter to take the last final berth.

Aside from getting the top prize of $20,000, the feat made Corteza ranked No. 5 in the world based on the latest rankings released by the World Pool Billiard Association (WPBA) following his second back-to-back international titles. He captured the 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open title at the Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Los Angeles, California, USA, two weeks ago.

Lo, on the other hand settled runner-up purse of $12,500 while 3rd placer gets Boening $8,500 and fourth placer another Filipino bet Francisco “Django” Bustamante went home $5,700.

“”I’ve hoped and prayed hard enough to win this crown for my countrymen as well as my boss Jonathan (Sy) who has been helping me compete abroad,” added Corteza.

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

” This is the reason why we managers are still holding the dream that someday our lawmakers can help this sport. We will also work in making Quezon City the Wimbledon of billiards,” added Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) founding head Ceferino “Perry” Mariano, also the president of Bugsy Promotions.

Earlier, Corteza bested Tony Robles of Mexico (9-6), Chris Bartram of US (9-5), Francis Crevier of US (9-8), Kuo Po-cheng of Taiwan (9-2), Mike Dechaine of US (9-8), and Manny Chau of Peru (9-8) in the winner’s brackets of this $89,000 to prize double elimination format. He lost to Lo (9-6) during their first encounter in the hot seat match.

Actually, Corteza race a 6-3 lead against Lo in their first match but  the latter’s (Lo) won six straight racks for 9-6 triumph to earned a first final berth.

Against Van Boening in their do-or- die match, after a 5-all deadlock in the 10th racks, Van Boening won three straight racks to reach the hill (8-5). However the last American hopeful was stuck at 8 after Corteza won four straight racks to escaped a narrow 9-8 wins.

The former undefeated Lo, meantime earlier beat Marc Vidal of US (9-2), Tyler Edey of Canada (9-7), Oscar Dominguez of Mexico (9-6), Corey Harper of US (9-0), Charlie Williams of US (9-6), Mika Immonen of Finland (9-5) and Corteza (9-8) in the hot seat match before bowing to Corteza (13-12) in their rematch on the final.

Other Filipino bets who saw action that includes 2010 Player of the Decade and hall of famer Efren “Bata” Reyes, Jose “Amang” Parica, Ronato Alcano, Roberto Gomez, Warren Kiamco, Edwin Montal, Al Lapena and Dennis Orcullo, who won the 2010 Party Poker World Pool Masters last Monday in the same venue.

According to RP billiards spokerman Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica, over-all in three weeks time, the Filipinos captured four international title, two title courtesy of Corteza (LA and Las Vegas 10-ball), World Pool Masters contribute of Orcullo and Super Billiards League in Winnipeg, Canada won by Bustamante.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO