Riyadh Benghalem, Giovanni Husang and Brian Dorfman
Giovanni Husang faced Ruyadh Benghalem twice during the Sunday, December 6 stop on the Tri-State Tour. Once early, and seven matches later, in the finals, when he claimed the event title. It was the second time in just over a week that Husang had made it to a Tri-State final. He was runner-up to Emit Yolcu on Sunday, November 29. The $1,000-added, December 6 event drew 21 entrants to Rockaway Billiards in Rockaway, NJ.
With Husang dispatched to the loss side, Benghalem advanced to the hot seat match, where he was met by Brian Dorfman. Benghalem had sent Eddie Medina to the loss side 7-5 in one winners' side semifinal, as Dorfman sent Bob Toomey over 6-2 in the other. Benghalem claimed the hot seat 9-7 over Dorfman and waited on Husang.
Medina and Toomey moved to the loss side and picked up Husang and Mike Strassburg. Husang had recorded loss-side wins (number three and four) against Miguel Laboy and Archie Fernandez, both 7-5, to draw Medina. Strassburg had eliminated Tony Ignomirello 6-5 and Mike Figueroa 6-3 to face Toomey. Husang and Strassburg advanced to the quarterfinals; Husang 7-3 over Medina and Strassburg 6-2 over Toomey.
Husang then downed Strassburg in those quarterfinals 7-5 and got his second shot against Benghalem with an 8-6 win over Dorfman in the semifinals. Husang completed his seven-match, loss-side streak with a commanding 9-2 defeat of Benghalem in the finals.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff at Rockaway Billiards for their hospitality, as well as sponsors Ozone Billiards, Sterling-Gaming, Kamui Tips, Ron Vitello, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, Human Kinetics, and Bloodworth Ball Cleaners. The next stop on the Tri-State Tour, scheduled for Sunday, December 20, will be hosted by the Cue Bar in Bayside (Queens), NY.
