FILIPINO ace Lee Vann Corteza outlasted Chinese Hi-Wen Lo in a dramatic finals showdown, 13-12, to capture the US Open 10-Ball crown Sunday at Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Winning a tournament wherein you have to compete against the world's best players is a very big accomplishment, and I'm very happy for this win," said Corteza, who is from Davao City and the top player of Jonathan Sy's Negros Billiard Stable.
"I got my confidence after winning against Van Boening (Shane)," added Corteza, who also edged American hopeful Shane "The South Dakota Kid" Van Boening, 9-8, in their loser's side encounter to take the last final berth.
The finals victory avenged Corteza's defeat to Lo, who upstaged the Filipino cue master earlier to earn a finals berth.
Aside from getting the top prize of $20,000, Corteza climbed to No. 5 in the latest world rankings released by the World Pool Billiard Association (WPBA) following his second back-to-back international titles. He also captured the 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open title at the Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Los Angeles, California, USA, two weeks ago.
Lo settled for the runner-up purse of $12,500 while the third placer Van Boening got $8,500. Another Filipino bet, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, went home with $5,700 for finishing fourth.
"I've hoped and prayed hard enough to win this crown for my countrymen as well as my boss Jonathan (Sy) who has been helping me compete abroad," Corteza said.
Corteza's accomplishment drew praises from pool supporters back home.
"Once again, congratulations Van-Van (Corteza). You have made every Filipino proud of your triumph," Sy said.
"This is the reason why we managers are still holding the dream that someday our lawmakers can help this sport. We will also work in making Quezon City the Wimbledon of billiards," said Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) founding head Ceferino "Perry" Mariano, also the president of Bugsy Promotions.
Earlier, Corteza bested Tony Robles of Mexico (9-6), Chris Bartram of US (9-5), Francis Crevier of US (9-8), Kuo Po-cheng of Taiwan (9-2), Mike Dechaine of US (9-8), and Manny Chau of Peru (9-8) in the winner's brackets of this $89,000 to prize double elimination format.
Corteza raced to a 6-3 lead against Lo in their first match but the Chinese won six straight racks for 9-6 triumph.
Against Van Boening in their do-or-die match, Corteza fell 5-8 after Van Boening won three straight racks from a 5-5 deadlock. However, the last American hopeful was stuck at 8 after Corteza won four straight racks to escape a narrow 9-8 win.