FORMER National Open champion Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza lived up to his moniker by beating world No. 1 and reigning world 8-ball champion Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo, 11-8 late Sunday, to rule the Masters category of the 2011 San Miguel Beer Oktoberfest 9-ball Open at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.
Corteza, the top player of Negros Billiards Stable and JSY Sports took home the P350,000 prize and an SMB mug trophy while Orcollo, the former two-time SMB 9-ball champion, received P100,000.
Corteza, whose stint is backed by Energen and Kopiko, marched to the finals after beating ex-world pool champion Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 9-4, in the semis while Orcollo advanced by edging hall of famer Efren “Bata” Reyes, 9-8.
Earlier, Corteza nipped former WPA 9-ball and 8-ball champion Ronato “Volcano” Alcano, 9-5, in the round-of-16 and 2006 Sydney World Junior quarter-finalist Renemar “Revo” David, 9-7, in the round-of-8, while Orcollo ousted Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego, 9-1 and Jundel Mazon, 9-6.
In the race-to-11, alternate break finals, Orcollo jumped to a huge, 3-1 lead before Corteza swept the next two racks to tie the count at 3-all. After a 4-all tie, Corteza grabbed two consecutive racks for a 6-4 lead then finally captured the crown by winning five of the next nine racks.
“Turning point ko yung pagsablay ni Dennis sa medyo delikadong shot sa 8-ball sa 10th rack kaya nakalamang ako ng dalawang racks,” said Corteza, a many-time Southeast Asian Games gold medallist.
Meanwhile, Jomel “Porkchop” Sultan defeated fellow NBS stalwart Ruben Cuna, 9-8, in the grand finals of the Open Regional category to bag P50,000 plus SMB mug trophy.
The San Miguel Beer Oktoberfest 9-ball Open Masters category was also participated by country’s No. 1 women’s player Rubilen Amit, Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat, Ricky Zerna, Warren “Warrior” Kiamco and Gandy Valle among others. It is organized by Puyat Sports in cooperation with San Miguel Beer, Negros Billiards Stable, Bugsy Promotions and Resorts World Manila.