Soriano soars in Monday 9-ball

Jerry Soriano overcame a shaky start then cruised through the next two rounds before cutting down the man they call The Ghost during the finals in Corner Pocket’s Monday 9-Ball Tournament held last Oct. 26.

The Saipan Ice employee had a less than auspicious debut at the famous Garapan sports bar and watering hole as he needed the full complement of nine games to defeat Shi, 5-4, just to get out of the opening round.

Soriano had an easier outing against James Cabrera in the second round, as the veteran cue artist won in a score of 5-1 to advance to the semifinals.

Ranged against Zheng Jian Qing, Soriano brought out the big broom and swept the Top Pool Bar manager, 5-0, to book a finals match-up against Saipan’s No. 1 pool player Roger “The Ghost” Espiritu.

The championship was entertaining and evenly matched with the lead going back and forth between the two green felt table combatants. But there was no denying Soriano that evening, as he somehow eked out the win, defeating Espiritu 4-3 to hoist the weekly 9-ball title.

Soriano earned $96 in cash for his first-place win, while Espiritu settled for the $64 consolation prize. Both players also went home with goodies from MARPAC.

It was a tough field Soriano triumphed over Monday evening, as 13 of the 16 players that participated won either first or second place in Corner Pocket’s regular pool events during the past several months.

Last week’s champion Jojo Talibong didn’t get a chance to defend his title though after being taken out by Espiritu in the third round.

Senen Pangelinan and Rolly Villanueva also saw their cue sticks cool down after weeks of dominating opposing players as both of them got the boot in the first round.

Relative newcomer Nolan Cultura also gave a good account of himself in the tournament, playing Cabrera almost to a standstill in the opening round before losing 3-4. Rookie Jay Jose also turned a lot of heads as he extended Talibong to seven games before bowing out 3-4 also in the first round.

Other players that saw action Monday night were Manny Mariano, Victor Hocog, Erick Santos, Erick Caisip, Rommel Crisostomo, and Juancho Mendoza.

Corner Pocket’s Monday 9-Ball Tournament is held every Monday beginning at 9pm. The competition uses a handicap to give beginners a chance against top-caliber players. Entry fee is $10 and first place and second place are guaranteed prize money.

Corner Pocket will also restart its Tuesday 8-Ball Tournament this coming Tuesday, Nov. 2. Participants must fork over $15 to enter the double-elimination competition. Progressive pot for 8-ball in a break will apply. Game starts at 8pm.

Both the 9-ball and 8-ball tournaments use the rules of the Billiards Congress of America.

The billiard hall will also host the Super Saturday Halloween 9-Ball Tournament tomorrow. The pool competition is a single-elimination, race-to-four-games affair with the first place winner getting 60 percent of the prize money, while the remaining 40 percent goes to the runner-up.

A handicap system will be enforced for regular players, however, with Corner Pocket putting up $5 for any player who makes the 9-ball on a break. Another $5 will be given to anyone who runs at least eight balls en route to a victory. Entry fee for Sunday’s special pool event is $25 before 8pm of Oct. 30. It goes up to $30 after the appointed hour.

For more information on this Sunday’s Super Saturday Halloween 9-Ball Tournament and the regular 9-ball and 8-ball events, please contact Ken Phillips at 233-POOL (7665).