MANILA - Reigning national champion Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza defeated former world 9-ball and 8-ball king Ronato Alcano, 9-4, in the finals to rule the 2010 Manny Villar Cup 10-ball late Friday.
The event also attracted world top pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao, who lost to Elman Aries in the round-of-64.
“Winning a tournament against the country’s best players is a very big accomplishment, and I’m very happy for this win,” said Corteza, the top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiard Stable.
“I got my confidence after beating Antonio Lining,” said Corteza.
Corteza is set to join the Philippine team in the first World Team Championship in Germany.
The feat earned Corteza, now ranked No. 4 in the world, his second straight title.
Corteza also topped the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) 4th National Pool Championships last month.
He also earned a cool P400,000 purse.
Corteza put on a commanding 7-2 lead against the former Sun.Star Superbalita champion and never looked back.
“I was lucky I was able to lead early,” said Corteza, who lost to Mika Immonen of Finland in the finals of World 10-Ball Championships last month.
Alcano settled for the P150,000.
On the road to the finals, Corteza downed Lining, 8-6, while Alcano defeated Cebuano Warren Kiamco, 8-1.
Lining and Kiamco are set to receive P50,000 each for making it to the final four. (PR)