Four in a row for Soriano

Might as well call Jerry Soriano “Big Daddy.”

Soriano won his fourth consecutive Monday 9-Ball Tournament championship at Corner Pocket last Nov. 15, marking only the second time a run like that has been recorded at the Garapan sports bar and watering hole.

The 33-year-old employee of Saipan Ice looked very vulnerable in the first two rounds, but when push came to shove, Soriano’s expert cue stick was money.

Sans his patented moustache, the Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines native opened his defense by turning back the challenge of Erick Caisip 6-3. Caisip, a former champion of the tournament, had his chances against Soriano but crucial mistakes in the final match cost him the upset.

Other first round matches saw Primo Rivera drub Nolan Cultura, 4-1; Erick Santos sweep Rommel Crisotomo, 4-0; Patrick Woods edge 73-year-old Leonard Sablan, 4-3; Mario Diola slip by Joe Castro, 4-2; Roger Espiritu defeat close friend Joey Lucido, 6-3; Juancho Mendoza top James Cabrera, 4-2; and Vic S. Hocog upend Manny Aguon, 4-1.

In the second round, Soriano escaped the upset axe anew, surviving an inspired game by Hocog, 6-3. Hocog led Soriano 3-3, and was at the cusp of advancing to the third round, when a crucial mistake brought the defending champion back to the green felt table and it was curtains for Hocog.

Diola also marched on after nipping Woods 4-3, while Mendoza upset Espiritu with the same score. Santos completed the semifinals cast after he outplayed Rivera, curiously also with the same score, 4-3.

In the final four, Diola had a field day against Mendoza and barged into the finals with a 4-2 victory. Soriano, meanwhile, was on a roll against Santos in their semifinal match up. Despite a barrage of trash talk from the wily veteran, Soriano brought out the big broom and proceeded to sweep his opponent 6-0, including a couple of long runs and a nine-ball-on-the-break.

Obviously getting off the cobwebs in his game against Santos, Soriano was simply unstoppable in the championship round. He had a momentary hiccup in the second game when he missed with only three balls left on the table.

But after the break in the third game, it was all easy pickings for Soriano as he run the table a couple of times and even threw in a couple of nine-ball-on-the-break for good measure and won in a score of 6-1.

“I think I was just being lucky these past four weeks. I also try to practice as much as I can. I think I also get plenty of workout from delivering water bottles,” said Soriano in jest after his historic win.

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 beginning 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).