Lee Van Corteza is Crowned Champion of the First-Ever US Open 10-ball Championship
May 26, 2010
US Open 10-ball Champion, Lee Van Corteza
By NYC Grind Contributor, Geoff Conway
Saturday, May 22nd was a big day for Lee Van Corteza from the Philippines, when he emerged the winner of a new and successful event run by CueSports International (CSI), the “US Open 10-ball Championships”, which was worth $20,000 to the winner and had 128 entrants. To view our photo gallery from the final day of the event, click here.
Saturday morning at 11am saw the two loser’s bracket finals, between Francisco Bustamante (Philippines) & Rodney Morris (USA), along with Shane Van Boening (USA) and Charlie Williams (USA). With three USA players appearing in these two matches it was most likely that we would see an American come through the winner here.
In the first match up, we saw Francisco continuing his winning streak, and easily took down Rodney 9-6. In the other match up Shane was really on a mission and came out the victor 9-5. This put Shane up against Manny Chau (USA) who had lost the evening before to Lee Van Corteza in the winners semi final, and Mika Immonen (Finland), who lost to Lo-Li Wen (Taiwan) in the winners semifinal also.
Shane came out the winner against Manny Chau, who played great throughout the event, and if not for a miss on the 6-ball, and a scratch to boot when running out the 16 th rack, we may have seen a different outcome. This has to be one of Manny’s best results in his career to date, well done. Shane came out on top however, at 9-7.
The BCAPL 8-ball Singles Champions Make Their Mark at the Riviera… NYC’s Gail Glazebrook is the Women’s Open Champion!
May 25, 2010
Gail Glazebrook, 2010 Women's Open Champion (Photo by John Yee)
By NYC Grind Editor, Alison M. Fischer
The 34th Annual BCAPL National 8-ball Championships kicked off its eleven singles events on Saturday, May 15th, 2010 with nearly 2,900 competitors bringing their game to the Riviera Hotel & Casino for this event. NYCgrind.com was on site to cover all of the events, where players were surrounded by friends, family, and teammates, supporting them on their journey through one of the most widely-anticipated events in the U.S. NYCgrind.com’s coverage of this event has been sponsored by Poison Billiards. View our photo galleries from the BCAPL Singles here, and you can also check out photos of the winners on the BCAPL website.
With a field of 402 top female amateurs, competition was fierce in the Women’s Open Division. New York players Neslihan Gurel & Borana Andoni finished tied for 25th in this event, while Olga Gashkova took 33rd. Meanwhile, “Kiss of Death” team captain Gail Glazebrook ran through the winner’s bracket to face off against Texas player Tara Williams in the winner’s bracket final in a tough battle that ended Williams’ favor, 4-3. Glazebrook went on to win the semifinal match against Georgia’s Dana Aft, again hill-hill. In the final match, Gail Glazebrook rematched with the undefeated Tara Williams, and after trailing in both sets, defeated Williams twice to win the Women’s Open Champion title.
1st: Gail Glazebrook - $4,900
2nd: Tara Williams -$3,600
3rd: Dana Aft - $2,700
Read on for the results in all of the singles divisions at the 34th Annual BCAPL 8-ball Championships…
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Down to the Final Day at the US Open 10-ball
May 23, 2010
May 23, 2010
Young gun Lee Van Corteza has come on strong in the US Open 10-ball (Photo by John Yee)
Currently, the first-ever US Open 10-ball Championship is in the final match of the event. Out of 128 players, only two remain: Lee Van Corteza of the Philippines and Lo-Li Wen of Taiwan. You can watch the live stream of this match on TheActionReport.com. Also check out our photo gallery from Day 4, photos by John Yee.
Leading up to the final day were four days of gritty competition from the finest players in the world. Read on for the breakdown of the matches from Friday’s action below, by Geoff Conway… and we’ll be back with more updates on how the final day played out.
FRIDAYS 1:00 PM MATCHES
Rodney Morris (USA) out-gunned Stan Tourangeau (Canada) 9-4 in their winner’s side match.
Mika Immonen out-played Warren Kiamco on the TV table 9-3.
England’s Mark Gray won a close match against Canada’s Jason Klatt, to put Jason out of the tournament at 9-8.
Lee Van Corteza steamrolled Po-Cheng Kuo in their winners side, match 9-2.
Lo-Li Wen caused Corey Deuel to “LI- LO” after his 9-0 loss.
Thomas Engert lost a close match to Roberto Gomez in their winner’s side match 9-7.
Manny Chau continued his great play when he knocked Edwin Montal into the loser’s side 9-6.
Charlie Williams emerged the winner over Darren Appleton in this long winner’s side match 9-8.
Mike Dechaine got the better of Pin-Yi Ko in this hill hill match 9-8.
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CSI US Open 10-ball Championships Warms Up on Day Three
May 21, 2010
May 21, 2010
Tony Robles stays on form in the US Open 10-ball (Photo by John Yee)
With a field of international talent coming out of the woodwork for this event, the action has been getting heated here at the 1st Annual US Open 10-ball Championships at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Die-hard fans and friends of players, along with players from the BCAPL National 8-ball Championships being held down the hall, have kept the arena filled with fans for this inaugural event.
And if you aren’t able to see it in person, The Action Report is providing free live web streaming of feature matches… click here to check it out. You can also take a look at some of the photos from the third day of the event by NYC Grind contributing photographer, John Yee. Read on for highlights of the action from Day 3…
WEDNESDAY’S 6PM MATCHES
One of the event’s leading ladies, WPBA pro Melissa Little played well to beat Michael Yednak from New York with a lopsided score at 9-2. A slimmed-down Mike Davis beat Canada’s Veronique Menard 9-5. He has lost so much weight that I had to do a double take, but then I saw the stroke and I knew it was Mike. Jose Parica (The leader of the “Filipino Invasion”) came out the winner over Beau Runningen 9-7. PJ Massicote got the better of Dan Louie 9-7, and Gabe Owen beat Turk Berberoglu 9-4.
Star Players Cross to the One-Loss After Day Two at the US Open 10-ball
May 19, 2010
Al Lapena charged through the first two rounds at the US Open (Photo by John Yee)
STAR PLAYERS FIND THEMSELVES ON LOSER’S SIDE AFTER END OF DAY TWO
At the end of day two many of the top players found themselves in the losers bracket. Such notables as Efren Reyes, Dennis Hatch, Daryl Peach, Marcus Chamat, and Karl Boyes. They will now have to pick themselves up and re-group if they want to take down this coveted new trophy.
All throughout the event, The Action Report is providing free live streaming, which you can check out here. Also, check out our photos from Day 2 by John Yee.
DAY TWO HIGHLIGHTS
Daryl Peach (England) was matched up against Earl Strickland (USA) in the 6 pm round, and found an in-form Earl who did not put a foot wrong and duly dispatched Daryl into the wrong side of the draw. “Earl the Pearl” looked very comfortable throughout the match, so keep your eyes on his progress this week. All the practice that he is getting playing for the Team CSI American Grand Masters may be helping keep his stroke in form, as he has been doing numerous exhibitions and clinics with the team
Young Brendan Crockett (USA), who had his fifteen minutes of fame on Monday when he beat Jasmin Ouschan 9-6, unfortunately now finds himself on the loser’s side after meeting Francis Crevier (Canada). Brendan soon found himself down 5-1, but fought back to 6-4 down before Mr. Crevier won the match at 9-6. This is still a great achievement for a 14-year-old, and lets wish him luck in his next rounds.
First Annual US Open 10-Ball Opening Round Summary from the Riviera in Las Vegas!
May 18, 2010
US Open 10-Ball Championships
The much-awaited US Open 10-Ball Championship is underway at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 128 player star studded unisex field… is battling for a top prize of $20,000.
Read the opening round breakdown from NYCgrind.com contributor, Geoff Conway below.
14-YEAR-OLD BRENDAN CROCKETT TAKES DOWN JASMIN OUSCHAN
The buzz of the opening day was definitely the news that in the 7pm session of the opening days action that 14 year old phenom Brendan Crockett took down Jasmin Ouschan with a convincing score line of 9-6. Jasmin, who is the 2009 Player of the Year was always behind in this match, and although she tied the match at 6-6 she just could not find a way to control the match, and Brendan showed that he really has all the shots, and all eyes will be on him in his next round. Young Mr. Crockett was also in the history books in 2008 when he was the youngest ever, at the age of 12 to win a match at the 2008 US Open.
Brendan Crockett
Some of the other ladies in the first days rounds did not fair any better, with Kelly Fisher (England) getting blanked 9-0 by Marcus Chamat (Sweden). Jennifer Barretta also lost to Edwin Montal from Canada. The upcoming star of the upcoming movie “9 Ball” was ahead 3-1 early, but Edwin made a strong comeback back to win 9-6.
However, two of the ladies did win, with Liz Ford coming out on top of James Baraks 9-6, and Vivian Villarreal defeated Florida’s Hunter Lombardo hill-hill.
Dennis Hatch walked all over Ricky Yang (Taiwan) by a bigger margin than expected with a score of 9-5. Oliver Ortmann a semi finalist in the World Pool Masters just could not find the form of just a couple of days ago, and lost to PO Cheng Kuo 9-6.
Chris Bartram is carrying on his giant killer style, taking down Charlie Bryant 9-3. Charlie just did not come to the table with his “A” game and was never in the match. He used to give Chris the 7 ball in the money matches, but I think that spot has been revised since he knocked Mika Immonen into the losers bracket in last years first round match at the US Open 9-Ball Championships.
World Pool Masters Crowns Orcollo Champion
May 17, 2010
Winner Dennis Orcullo and Runner up Toru Kuribayashi
UNKNOWN KURIBAYASHI FROM JAPAN FALTERS IN TITLE ATTEMPT
After five days of grueling match play Dennis Orcollo of the Philippines finally claimed his first World Pool Masters Title, which was held at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas. His reward was $20, 000 and bragging rights for the rest of the year.
Over 750 players from every nook and cranny around the world, (including qualifier entries) made an attempt to win this event. Yet when all the dust had settled and all the predictions destroyed it was just one player who has come out on top this year. Yes Dennis Orcollo has just further cemented his reputation as one of the most fierce competitors in any discipline of pool, although diminutive in stature, has shown us once again just how tall he stands in this sport.
Dennis beat the 27 year old Japanese player Toru Kuribayashi, who before his first match was relatively unknown to fans in the States. Well it did not take long before Toru established himself as a firm fan favorite with the crowd, with his swash buckling style of attacking play, and his pleasant demeanor. For sure both the fans and his unfortunate opponents will remember this young man, and I wish him well in the future, and am sure that this win will hopefully propel him on to more international successes.
Three Germans and Two Pinoys Survive to Make the Last Eight at the World Pool Masters
May 16, 2010
Thomas Engert was one of three German players to cruise to the Final 8. (Photo by John Yee)
By NYC Grind Contributor, Geoff Conway “Pool Junkie”
Saturday evening saw the last of the last sixteen matches, with Thomas Engert matched up against an in-form Rodney Morris. This match was always in Engert’s wheelhouse, as he always looked comfortable at the table and seems to be gaining in confidence with every visit to the table. The match ended in Thomas Engert’s favor 8-5.
Thomas, who is a two-time winner of this event (2004 & 2007), told me that he has not been playing in the big tournaments as much as he used too, but has stepped up his playing schedule of late and his game is improving with every event. Rodney’s departure leaves Charlie Williams as the only USA player still in the event. Click here to view NYC Grind’s photo gallery from Day 4 of the World Pool Masters, photos by John Yee.
Next up was the pairing of Oliver Ortmann and Thorsten Hohmann, and the one thing that we knew for a certainty was that a German would win that match. Well, early on in the proceedings, it looked as though Thorsten would advance to the next round, but with the score 4-1 in Thorsten’s favor Oliver dug down deep and turned the match around to win 8-6.
Oliver, who played well against Bustamante in his first match and also came back against Darren Appleton in the last round, seems to know how to claw his way back into the matches. He said that he is just keeps his patience when he knows that he has done nothing wrong, and just tries his best and eventually it will turn around for him.
World Pool Masters Down to the Last 16
May 15, 2010
Daryl Peach (Photo by John Yee)
By NYC Grind Contributor, Geoff Conway “Pool Junkie”
Friday saw the last 32 players in the World Pool Masters fighting to stay in the event, as it gets near to the TV matches that are awaiting the surviving 16 players, which will be played on all weekend Click here to view the photo gallery from Day 3 of the event, photos by John Yee.
Well some of them failed in their fight, as we saw with defending Masters Champion, Darren Appleton (England) who was cruising along very nicely against Oliver Ortmann (Germany), when he lost his focus for a split second. Darren was 7-4 up and running out rack twelve when he over cut the 4 ball into the side pocket, attempting to go come of the bottom cushion to return for the five ball on the opposite end rail.
This little mistake would cost him the match, as Oliver quickly took the score line to 9-7, not allowing Darren to put another game on the wire. To say Darren was upset would be an understatement, and fans were advised not to ask him for his autograph as he left the playing arena.
Oliver now will be matched up against fellow German Thorsten Hohmann in the next round, in the final 16. Ortmann said that he was very happy to have won the match against Darren, but admitted to not being on his best game.
Down to the Final 32 of the World Pool Masters: Day 1-2 Highlights
May 14, 2010
Kuo Po-Cheng of Taiwan came through to the Final 32 in the Masters. (Photo by John Yee)
MORE STARS TUMBLE FROM THE MASTERS IN VEGAS
By NYC Grind Contributor, Geoff Conway
The 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters is now down to the last 32 players at the end of day two, and as in the first day, there were some unexpected shocks along the way. This final 32 players will meet up same time, same place on Friday, but with a single elimination format which will thin the field once again… and this time if you lose, you’re out of there.
It is the widespread opinion that this year’s Masters 64-man field is absolutely chock a block with everyone who is anyone in the world of professional pool, but after two days of grueling tournament play the cream did not automatically rise to the top… with massive surprises coming left, right, and center.
The the field was divided into 8 groups from the start of the event, and the Group 5 winners on the winner’s side were defending champion Darren Appleton, who took out the Asian pairing of Yu-Ram Cha and then Ricky Yang… the other winner was Marcus Chamat, who finished Manny Chau’s progress in the event, then had a great hill hill match against Dennis Orcollo to seal his spot in Fridays last 32.
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