Manalo fightback leads to Florida pool crown

Marlon Manalo worked his way back from the loser’s side by winning three matches then battled back from a two-rack deficit by sweeping the last three to nip American Tommy Kennedy, 9-8, and capture the Seminole Florida Pro Tour at the Capones Billiards hall in Spring Hill, Florida Sunday.

It was Manalo’s second Seminole victory as the 30-year-old ace Filipino pool artist ruled the Seminole Florida Pro Tour last April at the Strokers Billiards in Palm Harbor, Florida before settling for third last month at the New Wave Billiards in Miami.

But the win, worth $3,500 didn’t come easy as Manalo had to bounce back from a heart-rending hill-hill setback to American Stevie Moore to remain in the hunt. He beat compatriots Dennis Orcollo and Warren Kiamco via identical 8-3 scores then got back at Moore in the semis, 8-2, to gain a crack at the crown against Kennedy.
But the American quickly stopped Manalo on his tracks, racing to a 6-1 lead as the Filipino bet struggled with his break until Manalo regained his touch and won four straight racks. They traded the next two games to put Kennedy on the hill, 8-6.

But Manalo never got discouraged and pounched on Kennedy’s miscue while scoring a couple of runouts to snatch the victory.

Kennedy took home $2,000 for second while Moore settled for third worth $1,500. Kiamco finished fourth and received $1,200.

On his way to victory, Manalo drew a first round bye, whitewashed Randy Whitehead, 7-0, toppled Paul Song, 7-3, dominated David Reljic, 7-3, and routed David Broxson, 8-2, before dropping a 7-8 decision to Moore.