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.