Marvelous Mariano tops 8-ball challenge at USSP

Rowel Mariano outlasted Rick Rengiil in a tight defensive game to take the pot in the inaugural USSP 8-Ball Table Challenge Monday night. Both finished with five wins to force a tie breaking playoff.

Players drew “peas” to determine who plays first. The winner holds the table and gets a point, while the loser moves to the bottom of the challenge list. It costs each contender $2.50 to take on the King (or Queen) of the table each time they come up. The winner of the most games takes the pot.

Taylor Watanabe started out strong with the first two wins, including a defeat of Jerry Soriano. After Rengiil knocked him off of the table, he came up again for another point.

John Mongami pushed Rengiil off of the table and also came around again for another win. Joey Lucido made a late push, but along with Watanabe, Soriano, Mongami and Marvin Baulechong, ran out of time. The other players had bad luck that night. Mariano and Rengiil each put together five-game winning streaks to earn their final match.

Organizer Ken Phillips said the games started late because it was the first time for this format and it had to be explained.

“If we’d had another hour I think the scores would have been pretty interesting,” he said. “When everyone settled in we had some tight games. Watanabe may earn a ‘giant killer’ nickname if he keeps it up.”

Phillips said the Table Challenge is a way to start tournaments on time without having to throw together a double elimination bracket as players come in. “A regular tournament is hard to put together,” he said. “Some people have to work late and others are on ‘island time.’ Just when you get the bracket finalized someone else wanders in and begs to join. It holds up the games. This way, latecomers just go to the end of the list of first-time challengers.”

The starting time next Monday is 8pm sharp, and everyone present at that time will be at the head of the line.

Phillips also wanted to remind pool shooters that Bowliards can be played any day during Happy Hour to earn a spot in the Rose Bowliards on July 2.

A score sheet can be purchased for $10 and as much or little of the game as you have time for completed any day. The four top scorers will play off for the guaranteed $100 top prize. With the interest that’s been shown so far, it will likely be more.

Bowliards is played with ten balls and scored like bowling. For more information, call USSP Club after five 5pm at 233-1984. Ask for Rose or Ken Phillips. (PR)