Rob Moreno, a former Marine who's recently returned from Japan, where he became a master certified pool instructor and owner of two pool halls, has returned after 25 years and settled in Jacksonville, NC. He joined 24 other competitors at a stop on the Viking Cues' Q City 9-Ball Tour on the weekend of August 27-28, and went undefeated to win it. The event was hosted by Smokin' Cue in Charlotte, NC.
Playing as an "8" in a handicapped tournament, Moreno advanced to defeat David Lear 8-4 in a winners' side semifinal, as Taz Holliday downed Stevie McClinton 5-5 (McClinton racing to 7). Moreno claimed the hot seat in a double hill match over Holliday and waited on what turned out to be the return of Lear.
Lear moved to the loss side to meet Matt Lucas, who'd defeated Blade Best 4-2 and shut out Trey Frank to reach him. McClinton picked up Daniel Adams, who'd gotten by Edwin Delacueva 7-6 and Bruce Campbell 7-4.
Lear defeated Lucas 7-2 and, in the quarterfinals, faced McClinton, who'd eliminated Adams 7-3. Lear took care of McClinton 7-4, and by the same score, defeated Holliday in the semifinals. The wait did little to stem the Moreno tide, as he allowed Lear only a single rack to claim the event title.
Tour director Herman Parker thanked the ownership and staff at Smokin' Cue, as well as title sponsor Viking Cues, Delta-13 racks, and Ruthless Billiards Apparel. The next stop on the Viking Cues' Q City 9-Ball Tour, scheduled for Labor Day weekend (Sept. 3-4), will be hosted by Janet Atwell's Borderline Billiards in Bristol, TN.
