MANILA, Philippines - Veteran Lee Van Corteza dropped a 6-16 setback to Russian Ruslan Chihanov and settled for runner-up honors in the World Pool Series’ Molinari Players Championship Tuesday night (yesterday in Manila) at Steinway Billiards in Astoria, New York.
The 37-year-old Corteza netted $8,500 (over P400,000) in the $100,000 8-ball tournament and earned 40 ranking points going to the next legs of the four-event tour.
On his way to the finals, Corteza defeated British Darren Appleton, also the organizer of the WPS, 18-16.
Chihanov, who pocketed $20,000 with the triumph, turned out to be a scourge for Pinoy cuemasters as he also beat Johann Chua back in the semifinals, 15-8. Chua earned $5,250 and 50 ranking points for finishing joint third.