Mistica Sacramento 9-Ball King

MANILA, Philippines - Inangkin ni Filipino le­gendary pool master Ramon “Maestro Mon­ching” Mistica ang kanyang unang major title ngayong taon ma­tapos pagharian ang 2010 Hardtimes Billiards 9-ball tournament sa Hardtimes Bil­liards sa Sacramento, Ca­lifornia.

Tinalo ni Mistica si Mexican Rafael Martinez, 7-6, sa kanilang finals matchup ng nasabing double elimination format.

“I would like to dedicate my victory to my country and to my countryman,” sa­bi ni Mistica ng Murphy, Quezon City na umagaw ng eksena matapos igupo si Filipino great cue master Jose “Amang” Parica no­ong 1980’s.

Ibinulsa ni Mistica ang top prize of $600, habang na­punta kay Martinez ang $380.

“It’s a great news for the Philippine billiards. In the past weeks, we have won four major titles including the exploits of Lee Van Cor­teza in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Django Bustamante in Winnipeg, Canada and Dennis Orcullo in Las Vegas. We are hoping that this will continue in the much awaited World Pool Championships later this month in Doha, Qatar,” ani sportsman/businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.

Bago ito, tinalo muna ni Mistica sina Michael Lo, 6-2, at Gene Ahola, 6-2, hanggang matalo kay American Jeff Gregory, 4-6, sa loser’s brackets.

Bumawi si Mistica sa pag­giba kina Paul Meyer, 5-1, Pat Mc Load, 5-1, Ro­ger Estelle, 5-2, ang ka­babayang si Ambrosio “Jun” Almoite, 5-4, Chong Huang, 5-1, Billy Palmer, 5-4, at Gilbert Ariola, 5-3.