Corteza bucks upset in Pacquiao billiards

FORMER two-time National Open champion Lee Vann Corteza yesterday barely kept his place in the winners’ bracket as major reversals continue to rock the ongoing Manny Pacquiao International 10-ball championships at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City.

Corteza, top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) downed Jech Limen, 9-6, to remain in the unbeaten group that includes Jeffrey de Luna, Jundel Mazon and Antonio “Nickoy” Lining.

“Pumabor y’ung bola sa akin,” said Corteza, whose stint here is supported by Kopiko and Energen. “Sana magtuloy-tuloy ang panalo ko,” added the 2011 SMB Octobest 9-ball champion.

De Luna, the 2007 Manny Pacquiao 9-ball champion bested Jericho Banares, 9-7; Mazon edged Judy Villanueva, 9-7, while Lining toppled Alex Lumpay, 9-6.

However, heavyweights Carlo Biado, Ramil Gallego, Ricky Zerna, Ronato Alcano and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany suffered heart-breaking setbacks in what could be the bleakest day for the favorites in the $60,000 tournament sponsored by Cong. Manny Pacquiao, hosted by long-time billiards patron Sebastian “Baste” Chua and supervised by Edgar Acaba.

Biado, the reigning national open champion yielded to Ricky Puro, 5-9; Gallego bowed to snooker ace Benjie Guevarra, 7-9, and newly crowned Sun Star 9-ball ruler Zerna lost to Jeffrey Diaz, 7-9.

In the loser’s side, Hohmann bowed to Manolo Tanasas, 7-9, while Alcano yielded to Edgie Geronimo, 5-9.

World No.1 Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo survived the day of upsets in the losers’ side by winning over OFW Elmer Hay, 9-5, and Edwin ‘d Duck, 9-6, respectively.