Raphael DaBreo, who had his best year on the Tri-State Tour in the 2011-2012 season, finishing at #10 among the tour's A players, chalked up an early 2012-2013 win, going undefeated on the Tri-State Tour stop on Saturday, August 11. The $500-added, A-D handicapped event drew 35 entrants to Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ.
DaBreo had to get by 2011-2012's #1-ranked B+ player, Ed Culhane, twice to claim the event title. They met first among the winners' side final four, with DaBreo prevailing 7-4 to move into the hot seat match. He was met there by Sam Hoffman, who'd sent Dave Danchak west 6-2. DaBreo got into the hot seat with a 10-7 victory over Hoffman, and waited on Culhane's return.
Culhane moved west and picked up Naldo Trancoso, who'd defeated Joe Palone 7-3 and John Trobiano 7-2. Danchak drew Mike Aro, who'd gotten by Paul Wilkins and Eddie Perez, both 6-3. Culhane got back into the swing of things with an 8-5 victory over Trancoso, but Danchak fell to Aro 6-3.
In the quarterfinals that followed, Culhane ended Aro's day with a 9-6 victory. He moved on to face Hoffman in the semifinals, and defeated him 11-8, for a second chance against DaBreo. DaBreo secured the event title, completing his undefeated run with a 7-3 victory over Culhane.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff of Castle Billiards for their hospitality, as well as sponsors Sterling-Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Poison Cues, Kamui Tips, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, and Human Kinetics.
