ShareThisJune 2, 2010 LAS VEGAS/MANILA— Another Filipino billiards icon, this time it is Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza who emerged as champion in a billiards championship in Las Vega, Nevada.
Corteza narrowly defeated Chinese Lo Hiwen (13-12) in their final rematch last Sunday to rule the 2010 U.S. Open 10-Ball championship at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, for his back-to-back title. Corteza bagged the top prize of $ 20,000 and shot up to fifth in the world ranking, based on the World Pool Billiard Association following his second victory at the Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open title at Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Los Angeles, California two weeks ago.
Lo, on the other hand, settled for the runner-up purse of $ 12,500 while third placer Shane Van Boening had $ 8,500. Filipino fourth placer Francisco “Django” Bustamante went home $ 5,700 richer. Corteza said he got confident after slipping off U.S. ace Shane Van Boening, 9-8, in their losers’ side meeting for the last final seat.
“Winning a tournament wherein you have to compete against the world’s best players is a very big accomplishment, and I’m very happy for this win,” said Corteza, the top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable. “I’ve hoped and prayed hard enough to win this crown for my countrymen as well as for my boss Jonathan (Sy) who has been helping me compete abroad,” added Corteza.
It was a difficult tournament for Corteza. Earlier, he had to beat Tony Robles of Mexico (9-6), Chris Bartram of the U.S. (9-5), Francis Crevier of U.S. (9-8), Kuo Pocheng of Taiwan (9-2), Mike Dechaine of U.S. (9-8), and Manny Chau of Peru (9-8) in the winners’ brackets of the US$ 89,000 prize double elimination format.