Tri Chau and Tony Ignomirello
It’s been five years since Tri Chau recorded a win on the Tri-State Tour. That first win, in May of 2012, was an undefeated run through a field of 22 at BQE Billiards in Jackson Heights, NY. Chau recorded his second win on Sunday, October 15, and opted for the loss-side route to victory. Defeated in a winners’ side quarterfinal, he won five on the loss side to meet and defeat Tri-State veteran Tony Ignomirello in the finals. The $1,000-added event drew 30 entrants to Rockaway Billiards in Rockaway, NJ.
Following victories over Mac Jankov and Gil McGrath, Chau was moved to the loss side by Luis Carrasco, who advanced to a winners’ side semifinal against Roger Hanos. “Tony Iggy,” in the meantime, who’d defeated Bernie Vogelsang, CJ Chey, and Gary Fuller, drew Suzzie Wong in the other winners’ side semifinal. Carrasco shut out Roger Hanos, while Ignomirello defeated Wong 7-5. Ignomirello claimed the hot seat 6-4 over Carrasco and waited on Chau.
On the loss side, Chau opened his loss-side trip with a double hill win over CJ Chey, and then eliminated Watanabe 7-4, to pick up Hanos. Wong drew Bob Toomey, who’d defeated Gary Fuller 7-5 and Allison LaFleur 7-4 to reach her.
Chau handed Hanos his second straight shutout, as Wong was busy ending Toomey’s day 7-4. Chau and Wong locked up in a double hill quarterfinal that eventually advanced Chau to a re-match against Carrasco in the semifinals. Chau wreaked his vengeance on Carrasco 7-4 to earn a spot in the finals.
It had been an extraordinary run for “Tony Iggy,” who was returning to the tables after a surgery-induced absence from the tables. His gritty performance put him in the hot seat, but Chau’s endurance prevailed in the finals. Chau, returning to the tables after his own long-absence from the winners’ circle, prevailed 9-4 to claim the event title.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff at Rockaway Billiards for their hospitality, as well as sponsors John Bender Custom Cues, Ozone Billiards, Sterling-Gaming, Kamui Tips, Billiards Digest, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, Human Kinetics, Pool & Billiards, Professor Q Ball, Bender Cues, Joe Romer Trophies and DIGICUE OB. The next stop on the Tri-State Tour, scheduled for October 22, will be hosted by Steinway Billiards in Astoria (Queens), NY.
