MORE ON NEGROS 9-BALL TOURNAMENT

CORTEZA BEATS SOUQUET; PAGULAYAN CRUSHES WU

DUMAGUETE CITY--- CURRENT Philippine National Champion Lee Vann Corteza overcame a tough challenge from former World 9-ball Champion Ralf Souquet of Germany, 9-7, in the last TV table matches to stay on course and remain an early favorite to advance to the next round in the biggest-ever international standard event in the Visayas, the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental late Wednesday here.

Disappointed with his loss against compatriot Jeffrey de Luna in their quarter-final encounter at the 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships in Manila, the 28-year-old Corteza, top player of Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) has come well prepared going into this competition jointly organized by NBS and Puyat Sports and will be aired on Solar Sports from Nov.22-29 and setting his eyes on no less than the Negros crown and the top prize of $20,000. The runner-up gets $10,000 while the losing-semifinalist will take home $5,000 each.

Corteza, a multiple Southeast Asian Games gold medalist who hails from Davao City took 6-4 lead after winning the 10th rack in the race-to-9, alternate break, double elimination format. Corteza, fondly called "The Slayer" in the world of pool, who post a 9-4 opening match win against countryman Boyet Drillon will meet another World 9-Ball Champion Mika "Iceman" Immonen of Finland in the third round of winner's bracket today, Fiday. Immonen, a frequent Manila visitor had a hard time disposing Jech-Jech Limen, 9-6, and Warren Kiamco of the Philippines, 9-7.

Souquet, also the 2006 Philippine World Pool Championships runner-up had a chance to tie the game at 8-all count but suffered a scratch in his break in the 16 th racks allowing the Filipino cue artists to escape a 9-7 victory.

Jonathan Sy, who is the brain child to bring the biggest pool event here in Visayas said "It was my dream someday to hold a biggest tournament here in Visayas which include the former World 9-Ball Champions and the top pool player in the land and other top player from neighbor countries along with the Americans and European cue masters," said Sy, president of the Negros Billiard Stable who also got the support of Negros Oriental 1st district representative Josie Limkaichiong of La Libertad.

The Provincial Government, with the help of the private sector, acquired the rights to host the event that is also aimed at boosting the efforts to promote the Province of Negros Oriental. The international event is made possible through the help of the following major sponsors: NOKIA, KOPIKO 3-In-1 coffee, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and ALTUS.

Meanwhile, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, the 2004 Taiwan World Pool Championships champion also post his second straight win against fellow World 9-Ball Champion Wu-Chia-ching of Taiwan, 9-5, in the second TV table matches. He also beat fellow Pinoy Arturo Publico, 9-1, and schedule to meet today, Friday with ex-US Open winner Corey Deuel of the United States, who clustered a similar 9-6 victory over teen-ager Mike Takayama and Chung Chien-te of Taiwan, respectively.

Jarry "Putol" Pelayo and Elmer Haya, both playing of NBS registered back to back upset wins against heavy favored opponents.

The 32-year-old Pelayo, who lost his two fingers when he was a little boy playing with fire crackers, shocked two-time Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan, 9-8, and Another Filipino entry Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat, 9-3, while Haya, a pool instructor in Kuwait trounced Japan based Pinoy Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, 9-8, and 2006 Asian Games 8-ball gold winner Satoshi Kawabata of Japan, 9-5, in order.

With the win, Pelayo goes up against Elvis Calasang while Haya will face Leonardo "Dodong" Didal in other Filipino third round winner's brackets encounter today, Friday.

Calasang beat Dennis Orcollo, 9-8, and Francisco Bustamante, 9-2, respectively while Didal upsets European no.1 player Konstantin Stepanov of Russia, 9-6, and Niels Feijen of the Netherlands, 9-4.

Bustamante who beat his Puyat Sports stablemate tournament favorites Efren "Bata" Reyes, 9-2, in their initial encounter needed to win his match in the loser's brackets to stay in the title hunt in this $61,400 total pot prize tournaments. RP billiards patron Aristeo "Putch" Puyat is schedule to arrive here today to give support for the Filipinos campaigner according to tournament director Rolly "Lando" Vicente.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)