With a mandatory closing time creeping up on them during the latest stop on the J. Pechauer Ride the 9 Tour, on Sunday, January 15, Joey Dupuis and Nelson Oliviera played a quick, race-to-2 second set that handed Oliviera his second defeat and earned Dupuis the tournament title. The event drew 49 entrants to Bo’s Billiards in Warwick, RI.
From among the winners’ side final four, Dupuis sent Bill Roberge west with a 7-2 victory, as Danny Pavao was busy shutting out Steven Kang. Dupuis moved into the hot seat with a shutout over Pavao, and waited for Oliviera’s return.
Oliviera, in the meantime, was in the midst of an eight-game, loss-side winning streak that would get him back to the finals. With three in his rearview mirror, he defeated Roarke Dickson 5-1, and Ray Marotto 5-3, to pick up Roberge. Kang drew Richie Britt, who’d gotten by Jeff DeRosa 6-2 and Stacie Bourbeau 6-1. Oliviera downed Roberge 7-3, and was joined in the quarterfinals by Britt who’d eliminated Kang 5-3.
Oliviera dropped Britt into fourth place 5-2 and then shut out Pavao 6-0 in the semifinals. He took the opening set of what was to have been a true double elimination final 5-3. In light of an approaching closing time, the race-to-2 second set was devised and Dupuis won both games to secure the event title.
Tour representatives thanked Bo’s Billiards’ owners Joshua and Steve Soulliere for their continued hospitality over four years of association with the tour. They also thanked sponsors J. Pechauer, CueShark, Magic Rack (CSI) and Narragansett Beer. Next stop on the J. Pechaeur Ride the 9 Tour will be a $700-added event, scheduled for February 12 at Snookers in Providence, RI.
