LEE Vann Corteza defeated Chinese Hi Wen Lo, 13-12, in the final to rule the 2010 US Open 10-ball championship in Las Vegas yesterday.
“Winning a tournament against the world’s best players is a very big accomplishment, and I’m very happy for this win,” said Corteza, who lost to Lo, 9-6, during their first
encounter.
Corteza boosted his confidence after a difficult win against Shane Van Boening, 9-8, in the losers’ bracket to bag the second finals spot.
Aside from getting the top prize of $20,000, the feat improved Corteza’s rank to No. 5 in the world. He also won the 1st Annual Hart Times 10-Ball event two weeks ago.
Lo settled for the second prize of $12,500, while Boening got $8,500 for finishing third. Francisco “Django” Bustamante went home with $5,700 for his fourth place finish.
Earlier, Corteza bested Tony Robles (9-6), Chris Bartram (9-5), Francis Crevier US (9-8), Kuo Po-Cheng (9-2), Mike Dechaine (9-8), and Manny Chau (9-8).
Other Filipino bets who saw action were Efren Reyes, Jose Parica, Ronato Alcano, Roberto Gomez, Warren Kiamco, Edwin Montal, Al Lapena and Dennis Orcollo. (PR)