DAVAO CITY native Lee Vann Corteza made the country proud again by capturing the men's 10-ball crown of the 31st Japan Open 2018 that wrapped up Monday, July 16, at the New Pier Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

The Dabawenyo from Mintal escaped past Japanese Naoyuki Oi, 8-7, in the men's championship.

Corteza barged into the finals unbeaten in six matches.

He disposed of Wu Kun Lin of Chinese Taipei, 8-4, in the semifinals and demolished the latter's compatriot Cheng Yu-Hsuan, 8-3, in the quarterfinals.

In the round of 16, 2017 bottleneck.net 77th World 14.1 Tournament champion Corteza outclassed Japan's Tadasu Sukigihara, 8-6.

His other victims were Satoshi Oaki of Japan (9-3, round of 32), Sho Tsuken (9-1, round of 64) and Naoki Yamashita (9-6, round of 128) in the Group 15 eliminations.

In the women's 9-ball, Guo Tribunal of Chinese Taipei pocketed the title over Kajitani Kishimi of Japan. Tied for third were Chihiro Kawahara of Japan and Chen Bao of Chinese Taipei.

Cash prizes and trophies were awarded to the winners of the annual cuefest.