Corteza pockets NY 9-ball crown

Lee Vann Corteza fought back from the losers’ side with a string of victories then outclassed American Louie Ulrich in the final, 13-7, to capture the Turning Stone Classic 9-ball crown at the Turning Stone and Casino in Verona, New York Sunday.

Corteza kept the momentum of his victories over Niels Feijen, Ralf Souquet and compatriot Dennis Orcollo in the losers’ side as he cruised to a 12-2 lead in the race-to-13 final against Ulrich.

But a scratch on the break in the 15th rack stalled Corteza’s romp and enabled the American cue artist to close within five by winning five straight racks, 7-12.

However, Ulrich came up dry on the break in the 20th rack, paving the way for Corteza’s run out for the victory worth $8,000.

 Ulrich, top player of San Diego, California, settled for second worth $5,300 while Orcollo finished third and received $3,800.

On his way to the championship, the 28-year-old Corteza trounced Redgie Cutler, 9-6, dominated Holden Chin, 9-1, downed Mike Dechaine, 9-6, whipped Tony Chohan, 9-3, and tripped Tony Robles, 9-2.

Corteza, the reigning national champion, then bowed to Orcollo, 6-9, and found his way in the losers’ bracket.

But the reed-thin Davao City native bounced back by beating Feijen, 9-3, in a victory that also avenged his sorry loss to the Dutch ace in the final of the International Challenge of Champions in Connecticut last weekend.

He then outplayed former world champion Souquet, one of Germany’s top pool artists, 9-5, before thumping Orcollo, 9-2, in just 22 minutes.

Other Filipinos who saw action in the event were reigning double world champion Ronnie Alcano, Jose “Amang” Parica, Al Lapena and Mhet Vergarra.