Juan Parra, Alberto Nieto and Kenny Rowell
Juan Parra took two out of three over Alberto Nieto, double dipping him in the finals, to win the season opening event of the Omega Billiards 9-Ball Tour, held on the weekend of January 14-15. The $1,700-added event drew 90 entrants to Rusty's Billiards in Arlington, TX,
Parra was more or less breezing along on the winners' side of the double elimination bracket, advancing to one of the winners' side semifinals, having given up, through five matches (48 games), only 14 racks. Then, Parra had his first match against Nieto, who'd arrived on the scene having given up 18 racks through four matches (he'd been awarded an opening round bye). They battled to double hill, before Nieto advanced to the hot seat match. Kenny Rowell, in the meantime, downed Phillip Palmer 6-3 in the other winners' side semifinal to join Nieto in the battle for the hot seat. Nieto chalked up a second double hill win to claim the hot seat over Rowell.
On the loss side, Parra picked up Mike Voelkering, who'd defeated Hector Guerrero 7-5 and Jeff Georges 7-4 to reach him. Palmer drew Corey Anderson, who'd eliminated George Merchan 8-4 and Steve Raynes 8-2. Anderson defeated Palmer 8-6, and in the quarterfinals, faced Parra, who'd squeaked by Voelkering, double hill.
Parra chalked up a second, double hill win, defeating Anderson in the quarterfinals, and then sent Kenny Rowell home 7-4 in the semifinals. The true double elimination finals saw Parra chalk up two 7-5 wins to claim the event title.
Tournament director Melinda Bailey thanked the ownership and staff at Rusty's Billiards for their hospitality, as well as sponsors OB Cues, Michael Hoang of Omega Billiards Supply and FargoRate.com. The next stop on the Omega Billiards 9-Ball Tour, scheduled for February 11-12, will be hosted by The Billiard Den in Richardson, TX.
