Pinoy cue artists extend streaks in Pacquiao 10-ball

FOUR Filipino billiard heavyweights extended their winning streaks in the ongoing Manny Pacquiao International 10-ball championships yesterday at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City.

Former two-time national open champion Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza, ex-Manny Pacquiao 9-ball ruler Jeffrey “The Bull” de Luna, 2010 World Series Guinness kingpin Jundel “Jano” Mazon and unheralded Jeffrey Diaz toyed their foes while World no.1 Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo survived his dangerous opponents.

Corteza, top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable (NBS), downed snooker ace Benjie Guevarra, 9-7; de Luna routed “Ricky ‘d Kid” Puro,  9-4; Mazon edged Antonio “Nickoy” Lining, 9-5; and Diaz upset 2007 World Pool finalist Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez, 9-4.

In the loser’s bracket, Orcollo, dubbed as “Money Game King in the World,” beat Jech Limen, 9-7, and Warren Kiamco, 9-5, respectively to stay alive in the tournament that offers a total pot prize of $60,000 and sponsored by Rep. Manny Pacquiao.  /correspondent MARLON BERNARDINO