Corteza sets all-Filipino final in Pattaya 9-Ball

MANILA, Philippines – Two-time National Open Champion Lee Van “The Slayer” Corteza got a final round berth in the 2010 Sangsom Pattaya 9-Ball Invitational Pool Competition at the Royal Garden Plaza in Pattaya, Thailand on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Corteza subdued Liu Hui Chang of Chinese-Taipei, 10-4, to arrange an- all Filipino finale in the event that offers a 300,000-Baht prize money to the champion.
“Masayang-masaya po ako kasi nakapasok ako sa finals dito sa Pattaya,” said Corteza, who scored back-to-back victories on Saturday to advance to the semifinal round.
Filipinos Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo and Ronnie “Volcano” Alcano were disputing the other finals berth as of writing.

Corteza, whose stint is backed up by Kopiko and Energen, ousted Nitiwat Kanjanasri of Thailand (9-4) in the Last 16 and Fu Chi Wei of Chinese-Taipei (9-7) in the Last 8 to advance to the Final Four against Liu, who beat Filipino pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes (9-3) in the quarterfinal round.

Orcollo, meantime, outclassed Chris Melling of England (9-5) and Liu Chien Chieh of Chinese-Taipei (9-6) while Alcano stopped the winning run of Lee Chenman of Hong Kong (9-4) and Stevie Moore of the United States (9-8).

Last Friday, Corteza crushed Kevin Fortt of Great Britain (9-1) in the Last 32, Orcollo routed Ophas Suwannarat of Thailand (9-3), Alcano waylaid Somkuan Tianponkrang of Thailand (9-5) and Reyes clobbered Thai Sompol Saetang (9-1).

Corteza, Orcollo, Alcano and Reyes made it to the tournament proper through the invitation of Captain Prajit Phichaisornlatat, chairman of event sponsor and organizer Q Sport Bangkok Association. – by Marlon Bernardino