Hamoy continues local billiards domination

Chester Hamoy followed up his victory in the Ronelsie Cup by winning the Top Pool Bar 8-Ball Billiards Tournament over veteran Senen Pangilinan last Saturday.

Coincidentally, Pangilinan was also Hamoy’s opponent in the Ronelsie Cup finals held last Thursday at Round Two Bar and Grill.

And this one had the same ending but with a little twist as Hamoy needed his twice-to-beat advantage to win the weekly championship.

Pangilinan stole Game 1 from the fast-starting Hamoy after the latter missed on his final ball before the 8-ball after opening with a successful break.

That was just the opening Pangelinan needed as the cue artist went on to run the table to force a do-or-die second game.

It was the same start but different story in Game 2 as Hamoy again pocketed a ball after the break and proceeded to clean the table before missing on the all-important 8-ball that could’ve secured the win outright.

Pangilinan, however, failed to capitalize this time as he only pocketed five balls before missing on the 6-ball. What made matters worst was his foul shot that left the 8-ball hanging by the pocket, for all intents and purposes, handed the win on a silver platter to Hamoy.

The win was worth $70 for Hamoy, while Pangilinan settled for the $30 runner-up prize. Zheng Jian Qing, who finished third after losing to Pangilinan in the semis, came away with $10.

The first round of the weekly tourney saw Rolly Villanueva win over R.J. Mascarinas, Zheng beating Chester Cuento, Mark Butac upending Victor Hocog, Hamoy taking out Luis Fajardo, and Primo Ferrera upsetting defending champion Roger “The Ghost” Espiritu.

Hamoy, Pangilinan, and Zheng rolled to victories in the second round after winning against Ferrera, Villanueva, and Butac, respectively.

Hamoy then secured the first finals seat with back-to-back wins over Zheng and Pangilinan. The latter two then went head-to-head for the second finals ticket with the Pangilinan winning when he ran the table following a successful break.

The Top Pool Bar 8-Ball Billiards Tournament is held every Saturday and adopts a double-elimination format with a maximum of 16 players.

The entrance fee is $10 and the tournament uses the rules of the Billiards Congress of America. Practice is free between 7pm to 8pm on game day.

For more information on the Top Pool Bar 8-Ball Billiards Tournament, call Top Pool Bar manager Zheng Jian Qing at 287-7676 or check out the competition’s website at www.saipanero.com/bars/toppoolbar.