Alan Chan, Carl Yusuf Khan and Bryan Jeziorski
Alan Chan came within a single match and, in fact, a single game of going undefeated to claim his first victory in a Tri-State event. Moved to the semifinals by Carl Yusuf Khan, Chan returned to defeat him in the finals and claim that title. The $1,000-added event drew 40 entrants to Carom Cafe and Billiards in Flushing, NY.
Following victories over Ron Mason, Rick Shellhouse, Vincent Loretta and Chad Smith, Chan moved into the winners' side semifinals to meet Luis Jimenez. Joining them were Khan and Arturo Reyes. Khan, in his first of two, double hill wins, defeated Reyes, as Chan sent Jimenez west 6-5. Khan handed Chan what would be his only loss on the day in the double hill victory that left Khan in the hot seat.
Reyes moved over to face Brian Jeziorski, who'd gotten by Trevor Heal 7-4 and Raul Reyes 7-3 to reach him. Jimenez drew Ramon Feliciano, who'd shut out Chad Smith and defeated Keith Diaz 6-4. Reyes got sent home by a double hill Jeziorski victory, while Jimenez prevailed 6-3 against Feliciano.
Jeziorski moved on to win the quarterfinal match 7-4 over Jimenez, but had his loss-side streak snapped by a 7-5 Chan victory in the semifinals. Chan took full advantage of his second chance at Khan, opening up a quick 3-0 lead, that after a single Khan victory became 7-1. Khan cut the lead to four games at the 7-3 mark, but Chan finished up with two in a row that gave him the 9-3 victory and event title.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff of Carom Cafe and Billiards, as well as sponsors Sterling-Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Ron Tarr Cues, Kamui Tips, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, and Human Kinetics. Next stop on the Tri-State Tour is a $500-added, A-D handicapped event scheduled for April 7 at Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ.
