FILIPINO pool wizard Lee Vann Corteza toppled Japanese Naoyuki Oi, 8-7, to complete a sweep and earn the men's 10-ball crown of the 31st Japan Open 2018 Championship last Monday, July 16, 2018 at the New Pier Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Corteza, who hails from Mintal, Davao City, hometown of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte pocketed JP¥ 1,200,000 for the victory.
"Congratulations Lee Vann (Corteza) for winning the just ended 2018 Japan Open Championship Male Division held at Tokyo, Japan," said former World Billiards and Snooker champion and Barangay Malamig chairman Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo who is also the Mandaluyong City ABC president and Press Relation Officer, League of Barangays in the Philippines.
On his way to the title duel, Corteza downed Tadasu Sukigihara of Japan, 8-6, in the Round-of-16, Cheng Yu-Hsuan of Chinese-Taipei, 8-3, in the quarterfinals and Wu Kun Lin of Chinese Taipei, 8-4, in the semifinals.
Fondly called "The Slayer" in the pool world, his other victims were Satoshi Oaki of Japan (9-3, round of 32), Sho Tsuken of Japan (9-1, round of 64) and Naoki Yamashita of Japan (9-6, round of 128) in the Group 15 eliminations.
In another related billiards news, Filipino Warren "Warrior" Kiamco comes from the loss side to win final West Coast Swing (WCS) 10-Ball Challenge at Freezer's Ice House in Tempe, Arizona last Sunday, July 15, 2018. The Pasil, Cebu native Kiamco won the top prize $6,500 for his effort.
