EXCITING pool matches are expected when current World No. 2 Lee Vann Corteza of Davao City joins the 3rd Mindanao Open 9-Ball Challenge for the first time on Dec. 4 and 5 at the NCCC Mall Bowling, Billiards and Bar (B3) Center.
Tournament co-chairperson Charles Raymond A. Maxey said: “Corteza’s guest participation is a great opportunity for Mindanaoans to witness world-class level of competition. Local players are also expected to take this chance to beat him and the two other seeded players — 2008 champion Gandy Valle and 2009 champion Christopher Alanunay.”
Maxey, who guested with Davao Billiards Association (DBA) president Menlee Migellano in the weekly Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum, November 25, at the Tower Inn, said the tournament is being organized to provide a venue for Mindanao players to hone their skills and be discovered for future national and international competitions.
He said Alanunay, who is back from Malaysia, had been practicing to defend his crown. But fellow Dabawenyo Corteza, however, remains the heavy favorite being the most accomplished and renowned among them.
Migellano said other Mindanao-based locals may not be pushovers as they, too, are expected to pull off surprises in this year’s edition supported by the NCCC Mall B3, 8990 Housing Development Corporation, SkyCable and Betan Calibration Technique as major sponsors, Microtel Inn and Suites Davao, San Miguel Corporation, Santos Land Development Corporation, Toryano’s Chicken Haus, Grand Men Seng Hotel, Home Crest Residences, Stadium Buffet Restaurant and Sports Lounge, Water Lovers Purified Drinking Water, Visuals in Motion Advertising and Redrock Dezigns as minor sponsors.
Migellano cited the likes of Tagum City’s Ruben Cunia, Cagayan de Oro’s Demosthenes Pulpul, Cotabato City’s Godofredo Ducanes, Zamboanga City’s Elmer Haya and Davao City’s Manolo Tanasas who are under the stable of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable where Corteza also is a mainstay.
Cash prizes are P50,000 for the champion, P20,000 for the runner-up, P12,500 for the third-placer and P7,500 for the fourth-placer. The losing quarter-finalists will each go home with P2,000.
Last day of registration is on December 3 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at B3. [PR]
