Emerson Verano, Yomaylin
Last week, September 21, Emerson Verano watched James "Doc" Pasciolla complete a six-match, loss-side run to meet him in the finals. Verano stopped the streak to claim the event title. On Sunday, September 29, looking to chalk up a second straight win on the Tri-State Tour, Verano was in the hot seat again, watching, this time, as ChristIan Smith completed a three-match, loss-side run to meet him in the finals; deja vu, all over again, as they say.
This time, though, the result was different. Smith, who'd been sent west by Verano from among the winners' side final four, came back to win the final match, and foil Verano's bid for a second straight Tri-State win. The $1,000-added, A-D handicapped event drew 27 entrants to On the Snap Billiards in Sayerville, NJ.
Smith advanced past Ed Culhane, Carl Yusuf Khan and Marco Dy to earn a spot in one of the winners' side semifinal matches, against Verano. Yomaylin "Smiley" Feliz and Tony Ignomirello squared off in the other. "Smiley" gave up only a single rack to Ignomirello and in the hot seat, met Verano, who'd survived a double hill struggle against Smith. Verano then defeated Feliz to sit in the Tri-State hot seat for the second week in a row.
Smith moved over and picked up Justin Muller, who'd defeated Marco Dy 7-3 and Rajesh Vanalla 7-4 to reach him. Ignomirello drew Christian Longo, who'd gotten by Danny Booth 7-3 and Jaydev Zaveri 6-3. Smith and Ignomirello advanced to the quarterfinal match; Smith, with a 7-2 win over Muller, and Ignomirello, double hill over Longo.
Smith and Ignomirello fought back and forth to a deciding game in the quarterfinals. Smith dropped the final 9-ball, and advanced to meet Feliz, eager for a re-match against Verano. Smith was eager, too, and downed Feliz 7-4 to earn his own re-match.
Smith jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the finals, but Verano came right back to tie it. Smith then chalked up a six-pack that put him on the hill. Verano won the 11th game, but Smith won the 12th to complete his loss-side comeback and chalk up the event title.
Tour representatives thanked On the Snap Billiards' owner-operator Bryant Mitchell, House Pro Daniel Cintron, and the staff for their attentiveness to players' needs, as well as sponsors Sterling-Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Qpod, Heptig Cues, Kamui Tips, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, and Human Kinetics. The next stop on the Tri-State Tour is scheduled for Saturday, October 5 at Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ.
