Thirty-two (32) players from eight (8) countries competed in the Caribbean Mercantile Bank Aruba 10-Ball Classic this past weekend. The Caribbean Billiards Union event sanctioned by CPB, was also a qualifier to the next year's (2009) Predator International 10-Ball Event to be held in Las Vegas , Nevada , organized by Dragon Promotions. Well known Pro Players such as Leo Campos from Peru - South America, and Ike Runnels both living in Chicago , USA were among the early favorites to win the Event but it seems that the “Pool Gods” had other plans in mind.
At the end, Ramesh “Danny” Gokhul representing Guyana but residing in the U.K. and local Aruban Hero Allan Van Aanholt were to dispute the Finals.. Allan “Zero-Thunder” went unbeaten throughout the tournament, sending Ike Runnels in the 3rd round, and then sending “Danny” to the one-loss side during the Semi-Final. But "Cool Cat" Danny Gokhul had other plans and worked his way to the final spot to match once again with Zero Thunder.
Cool Cat came out with a big 10-3 win against the Thunder and the with the cash prize of $3000 USD. Allan got $1500 USD for his runner-up effort, with Victor Cuccuza from Venezuela making it to the 3rd spot and collecting $750 USD. In 4th place and from Aruba , Mr. Ransley "Psycho" Tromp cashed $500 with an unexpected surprise knock-out of Ike Runnels for the Title run. The Psycho-Man had sent a message to all present on Saturday night when he eliminated 3-Time CPB Panamerican 9-Ball runner-up Luis Miguel Sanchez from Venezuela .
$350 each was given to 5th place finishers Ike Runnels and "young gun" Anthony Wever from Curacao . Anthony who was just crowned CPB Panamerican 9-Ball Junior Champion in Nicaragua last week surprised 2002 Panamerican Champion Roland “Ditto” the D-Gun Acosta in the one-loss rounds with a great come-from-behind win.
Seventh (7th) Place paid $275 each to “Master” Ryan Rampersaud and D-Gun Acosta who took out Leo Campos after Campos was sent to the one-loss round by Runnels.
Out of the money but in respectable 9th place finishes were Roberto Martinez from Peru , Leo Campos – USA , Bryan Farah – Curacao, and Johnny “The Legend” Hellmund also from Curacao .
A Total of $7000 US Dollars were shared between the top 8 finishers. Sixteen (16) players from Uruguay , Peru , Venezuela , Guadeloupe, Curacao , U.S.A and the U.K travelled to face off against 16 local Aruban Players. They all had a great time and are looking forward to next year's event in the beautiful Caribbean Island of Aruba.
Special thanks to Caribbean Mercantile Bank, Classic Billiards, Iwan Simonis and Poison Cues - The Official Tournament Cue of the Aruba 10-Ball Classic.
For more information about the tournament, please visit www.poolinaruba.com
