Fernando Galeas and Kevin Scalzitti
Fernando Galeas made his first appearance on the Tri-State Tour’s 2018-2019 season count. As a B player, he is now the first player behind Mike Mele and Frank Siezcka, each of whom has two appearances in the early going of the current season. Galeas chalked up his first Tri-State victory by coming from the loss side and downing hot seat occupant Kevin Scalzitti. The $1,000-added event, held on Saturday, July 28, drew 25 entrants to Shooter’s Billiards in Wayne, NJ.
Galeas was awarded an opening round by in the 32-player bracket and won his opening match against Jay Choi, before running into Suzzie Wong in a winners’ side quarterfinal. Wong sent him to the loss side in a double hill fight and advanced to a winners’ side semifinal against Mark Halvorsen. Kevin Scalzitti, in the meantime, got by Rick Rodriguez, Paul Madonia and Matt D’Errico to draw Mac Jankov in the other winners’ side semifinal.
Scalzitti defeated Jankov 8-4 and in the hot seat match, faced Halvorsen, who’d squeaked by Wong 6-5. Scalzitti sent Halvorsen to the semifinals 9-5 and sat in the hot seat, waiting on Galeas.
Galeas opened his loss-side trip with a double hill win over Kevin Serodio and then eliminated Jake Kislowski 8-5 to draw a re-match against Wong. Jankov picked up Madonia, who’d defeated D’Errico 7-1 and Allison LaFleur 7-5.
Galeas advanced to the quarterfinals with a successful 6-4 re-match victory over Wong, and was joined by Madonia, who’d sent Jankov to the figurative showers 7-5. Galeas then eliminated Madonia by the same 7-5 score.
A double hill fight for a spot in the finals ensued. Galeas edged out in front at the end to take on Scalzitti in the finals, where the familiar intangible of momentum led Galeas to a 9-3 win that secured his first Tri-State title.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff at Shooter’s Billiards, as well as sponsors Ozone Billiards, Sterling-Gaming, Kamui Tips, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, Human Kinetics, Pool & Billiards, Professor Q Ball, Bender Cues and DIGICUE OB. The next stop on the Tri-State Tour, scheduled for Sunday, August 5, Clifton Billiards in Clifton, NJ.
