Corteza Sets Sights on Predator World Tour Spain and World Tearm in Germany Next Month

After his win at the BSCP Philippine National Championship, Lee Van Corteza will shoot for a title on foreign soil in the Predator World Tour at the Lloret de Mar in Girona, Spain from January 6 to 9, 2010.

The prize fighter of Jonathan Sy's Negros Billiard Stable became the first player to repeat as national champion last Tuesday when he nipped reigning Predator 10-Ball champion Dennis “Robocop” Orcullo in the semis, 9-7, and then downed “giant killer” Rodrigo “Edgie Marilao” Geronimo, 11-6, in the finals at the famous Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City.

“I hope to do well in the Predator World Tour in Spain and 1st World Team Championships in Germany next month,” Corteza told to this writer on Wednesday in a Negros Billiard Stable Christmas party hosted by businessman/ sportsman Jonathan Sy at the Iba Pa restaurant in Pasay City.

The Davao City native Corteza, known as “The Slayer” in the pool world, has been on a roll since winning the Derby City Classic 10-Ball Challenge early this year.

His other accomplishments this year were a runner-up finish in the World Ten Ball Championship and the Derby City Classic 9-Ball Challenge, a third-place finish in the World Mixed Doubles and a fourth-place finish in the US Open 9-Ball Championship.

Corteza also is scheduled to banner the country's campaign in the 1st WPA World Team Championship slated for January 30 to February 7, 2010 in Germany.

Joining Corteza in the Nationals are WPA 8-ball and 9-ball champion Ronato Alcano, Antonio Lining, Warren Kiamco, Marlon Manalo and Dennis Orcullo.
 
“We have a good chance though with Corteza, Orcullo, Alcano, Lining, Kiamco and Manalo.” said BSCP chairman and Raya Sports chairman Yen Makabenta.
 
Team members were selected based on recent and international tournaments performances according to the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).

“Members will go into intensive training to select who will play what discipline.” He added.

The pool Olympics will feature 8-ball, 9-ball and 10-ball with the champion getting the lion share of $100,000.