DAVAO City-born Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza of the Philippines kicked off his 2025 USA campaign in spectacular fashion, clinching the 9-ball championship title in the 40th Turning Stone Classic at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York, on Monday, January 13, 2024 (Philippine time).
Corteza upset defending champion Moritz Neuhausen of Germany in a thrilling final, securing a hard-fought 13-10 victory to claim the title.
The Dabawenyo cue master dominated the tournament, remaining unbeaten in all seven matches.
He opened his campaign with a commanding 9-1 win against Dave Powis (USA), followed by decisive victories over Joe Smith (9-4), Mike Donnelly (USA, 9-2), Jeremy Sossei (USA, 9-4), and Jayson Shaw (Scotland, 9-4).
In the final four of the winner’s bracket, Corteza swept Jesse Piercey of the USA, 9-0, setting up a semifinal clash with Neuhausen, who narrowly defeated Dan Hewitt of Canada, 9-8.
In their first encounter, Corteza bested Neuhausen, 9-6, sending the German cue artist to the one-loss side. Neuhausen rebounded with a dominant 9-2 win over Cristoph Neumayer (USA), earning another chance to challenge Corteza in the championship.
The victory marked Corteza's second Turning Stone Classic title, having first won the prestigious event in its ninth edition.
Neumayer finished third, with Hewitt in fourth place. Erik Hjorleifson of Canada and Piercey shared fifth, while Finland's Mika Immonen and Sossei tied for seventh. Tyler Henninger, Aaron Greenwood, Shaw, and Steve Mack shared ninth to 12th spots.
Corteza’s wife, Gelia, celebrated his victory on Facebook, writing: "Make way for our 2025 Turning Stone Classic champion in a field of 128 of the world's best players! Congratulations LVC! Undefeated throughout—grabe, galing! What a way to start the year! I am so proud of you! To God be the glory!"
Corteza’s latest triumph follows his 2024 victory at the Las Vegas Open, reinforcing his reputation as one of the Philippines’ premier cue artists. MLSA