Soriano still undefeated in Monday 9-ball

Even with a higher handicap, two-time defending champion Jerry Soriano continued to be unbeatable in the Monday 9-Ball Tournament of Corner Pocket.

Soriano struggled in the first two rounds, losing a grand total of five games, before busting out the whipping stick in the semis and in the championship to win the pool competition held on Nov. 8 at the famed Garapan sports bar.

The Saipan Ice employee encountered a bit of trouble against unheralded Juancho Mendoza in the first round. Mendoza had Soriano where he wanted him but missed a shot on the 9-ball that was just the break the champion needed, as Soriano went on to win in a score of 6-2.

Other first round scores saw Joey Lucido beat up-and-coming cue artist Nolan Cultura, 4-1; Victor S. Hocog whip Boyet Sequioco, 4-2; Zheng Jian Qing drub Larry Guerrero, 4-0; and Roger Espiritu outplay fellow ace Senen Pangilinan, 4-2.

In the second round, Soriano had no time to savor his victory against Mendoza as his next challenger, Manny Moreno, also put up a whale of a fight.

Moreno managed to steal three games away from the mustachioed one, but at the end, skill got the better of luck and Soriano won 6-3.

Other results in the second round had Lucido take care of James Cabrera, 4-2; Hocog shutout Rommel Crisostomo, 4-0, and Zheng upset Roger “The Ghost” Espiritu, 4-2.

Normally, as one goes deeper into the rounds, it becomes harder to win. But Soriano experienced the exact opposite as he swept Lucido, 6-0, to barge into the final round. Zheng, for his part, made it to the finals following a hard-earned 4-3 win over Hocog.

In the finals, Soriano followed up his scintillating semis win with another dominating performance. The mustachioed one didn’t allow Zheng to get on a roll and won comfortably 6-1.

Soriano so far has one the past three Monday 9-ball tournaments and this has led Corner Pocket owner and billiard conissieur Ken Phillips to remark:

“Everyone of Jerry’s opponents were playing well but he shrugged off his 6-handicap and steamrolled [past] them all by jumping out to early leads. I think he’s got an intimidation factor going for him—most players groan when they see they’re matched against him.”

Corner Pocket’s Monday 9-Ball Tournament rolls off 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 is also moving its Tuesday 8-Ball Tournament to Thursday next week. Play starts at 8:30pm. Participants must fork over $15 to enter the double-elimination competition. Progressive pot for 8-ball in a break will apply.

Both the regular 9-ball and 8-ball tournaments use the rules of the Billiards Congress of America. For more information on the regular Monday 9-Ball Tournament and upcoming Thursday 8-Ball Tournament, please contact Ken Phillips at 233-POOL (7665).