Espiritu sweep foiled in Round Two pool

A Joe Shaffer victory in the Tuesday Ladies Handicap 8-Ball Tournament prevented Roger Espiritu from sweeping all three pool events at Round Two Bar and Grill last week.

Espiritu continued his hot streak from Thursday by dominating play and topping the Sunday Winner-Take-All Fun Tournament last May 9 at the pioneering sports bar.

The man they call the Ghost started things off with a win over sure-shot Senen Pangilinan. Then followed it up with victories over Emi Peter-Palican and Roman Rodriguez before taking the first finals slot with a win over James Cabrera.

Espiritu then copped the title with a routine game against Jerry Soriano to pocket the $80 winner-take-all purse. Soriano and Cabrera settled for second place and third place finishes with no prize money.

Other players that signed up for the tournament were Ken Coutere, Ike Celis, David Peter, Ning Copeland, Joey Lucido, Manny Mariano, Kim Prinz, Rowel Mariano, Bert Mettao, and Sixto Igisomar.

Shaffer then threw a monkey wrench in Espiritu’s plan for three straight wins by also going undefeated in the Tuesday event last May 11.

After getting a bye in the first round, Shaffer negated the ladies 8-ball handicap with excellent placing, to defeat Kim Prinz in the second round.

Next to go was Noi Olopai that set up Shaffer’s semifinal duel opposite Curtis Newman. Shaffer would emerge the better player of the two and secured the twice-to-beat advantage in the finals.

In the championship round, Shaffer had a reunion of sorts with Olopai and the rematch went the way of their first encounter, with Shaffer hoisting the championship trophy after only one game and taking home the $58 first place reward.

Olopai settled for the second place $35 purse, while Newman got $20. Kippy Aiken, Ken Coutere, Emi Peter-Palican, Ning Copeland, Roger Espiritu, Victor S. Hocog, and Tony Arriola also graced the Tuesday pool event.

Banished to the losers bracket after the third round and ousted from the Tuesday tournament all together in the quarterfinals, Espiritu returned with the vengeance in Thursday’s full-house Miller Lite Invitational 8-Ball Tournament.

The Ghost wasted no time reclaiming his lofty perch atop the CNMI billiards scene by first dismantling Rich Felkey. He then triumphed over David Peter, Joe Shaffer, and Manny Mariano to advance to the championship round with the coveted twice-to-beat advantage.

Ranged for the second time against the dangerous Mariano in the finals, Espiritu ran a clinic to clinch his third pool win in four tries at Round Two.

Espiritu earned a $120 payday for the victory, while Mariano and Victor S. Hocog settled for the $75 and $45 runner-up prizes, respectively.

Other regulars who took their chance in the weekending Pacific Trading Co.-sponsored tournament were Doug Flynn, Curtis Newman, Gary Ridley, Ken Phillips, Roy Tereyama, Nathan Palican, Mii Tekopua, Larry Creekmore, Mike Long, and Boyet Sequioco.

Round Two hosts three regular tournaments a week. The Sunday Winner-Take-All Fun Tournament starts at 1pm and entry costs is $5 per player. Depending on the number of lady participants, the competition switches from regular to an 8-ball handicap format.

The Tuesday Ladies Handicap 8-Ball Tournament is held every Tuesday starting at 8pm and has an entry fee of $10.

On Thursdays, Round Two holds the exciting Miller Lite Invitational 8-Ball Tournament starting at 8pm. Entry fee is $15 on regular days but goes up to $25 every last Thursday of the month.

For more information on Round Two’s tournaments, please call 234-6930.