Nelson Oliviera had to get by Joey Dupuis twice to capture the New England 9-Ball Challenge on Saturday, April 28. He did just that, sending Dupuis west from among the winners’ side final four, and when Dupuis came back, he defeated him a second time in the finals. The event drew 45 entrants to Rhode Island Billiards, Bar & Bistro in North Providence, RI.
Once he’d dispatched Dupuis west 9-4, Oliviera turned to face Tom McGonagle in the battle for the hot seat. McGonagle had just sent Ted Psarros over 9-3. Oliviera got into the hot seat with a 9-3 win over McGonagle and waited for what turned out to be Dupuis’ return.
First up for Dupuis on his three-match march to the finals was Kevin Sun, who’d defeated David Murphy 7-2, and Randy LaBonte 7-5. Psarros had the misfortune of running into Steven Roy, who’d lost his opening round match versus Ty Speedwell, and was in the midst of a five-match winning streak that would get him into the quarterfinals. Roy defeated Marty Herman and Rich Senna, both 7-5 to reach Psarros. Dupuis eliminated Sun 9-5, and Roy ended his five-match, loss-side streak with a shutout over Psarros.
Dupuis, in turn, ended Roy’s streak with a 9-5, quarterfinal victory. He followed that up with a 9-4, semifinal victory over McGonagle, which gave him a second chance against Oliviera. The wait aside, Oliviera picked up right where he’d left off. He allowed Dupuis only a single rack in the only set necessary to capture the event title.
Rhode Island Billiards, Bar & Bistro owner Anthony Costanzo thanked Viking Cues, Jim Beam and Budweiser for their assistance in sponsoring this event.
