Corteza first double gold medal winner

HO CHI MINH (Via Globe Telecom) — Lee Van Corteza emerged as the Philippines’ first double-gold medalist in the 22nd Southeast Asian Games as he successfully defended his title in the 8-ball singles in the billiards competition at the Nguyen Du Culture and Sports Center here.

Cortez, 24, completed a twinkill as he conquered hometown bet Hoang Dai Thien, 9-3, in their final showdown, duplicating his victory in the 9-ball doubles in tandem with Warren Kiamco Friday.

With his two triumphs, the young pool master from Davao City now boasts of four SEA Games gold medals.

He topped the 9-ball singles in the 1999 Brunei Games and the 8-ball singles versus Efren "Bata" Reyes in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Games.

— Nelson Beltran

Thien foiled a projected all-Filipino final repeat as he pulled the rug from under Antonio "Nikoy" Lining, 9-7, in the quarterfinals.

Corteza got a crack at the gold by ousting Indonesia’s Heru Gunawan, 9-1, in the quarterfinals and Singhapore’s Tey Choon Kiat, 9-6, in the semifinals.

"Pinagpapala tayo," said Corteza.

A third billiards gold is expected to come tonight with Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante tipped to square off in the final. The two Filipino world-class players are seeded one and two in this event.

"Atin na uli iyan. Makita palang ng kalaban si Efren at Django, malamang manginginig na yang mga iyan," said Corteza.