Monday, April 07, 2008 Valle prevails in Magnificent 7 showdown with Corteza
FORMER Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle prevailed over reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza in their race to 100 finals showdown to claim the title of the Magnificent 7 Invitational 9-Ball Qualifier tournament at Bravio Sport & Resto Lounge the other night.
A stalwart of Bugsy Promotions, Valle edged out Corteza in a 100-96 game to bag the crown and the P300,000 top purse in a winner-take-all tournament before a crowded room at the venue.
In an interview after the game, Valle told Sun.Star Cebu that a combination of luck, skill and breaks of the game made him win, “breaks of the game lang, tapos may halong bwenas di mo kayang luck lang o skill para manalo ka but a combination of luck and skill kailangan sa larong ito” Valle said.
“He (Corteza) also lost his focus on the game” Valle added.
Both players reached a total of 65 accumulated wins after previously sweeping five opponents on their way to the finals.
Corteza’s coach Christopher Palses, of the Negros Billiards Stable/JYS Transport, told Sun.Star Cebu that Valle won the game after he played well and got lucky breaks.
Corteza lead in the middle of the match (70-67) after Valle won the opening rack for a 66-65 mark and then tied at 67 all.
Valle then made his own rally, winning four racks and snatching the lead at 71-70 after he made a 2 to 9 ball combination in the left corner pocket. Corteza immediately tied the game at 71 at the following rack. (NSM)
