MANILA, PHILIPPINES--- Ricky "BAI" Zerna demolished World Pool Championship finalist Roberto "Pinoy Superman" Gomez, 7-4, in the finals of the 8-ball division to receive the top purse of P50,000 in the just-concluded Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) Ranking Tour on Saturday at the Queen Margaret Hotel in Lucena City.
Zerna was a last minute replacement for fellow Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) bet Steve Villamil who begged off at the last minute.
Zerna was also the lone non Bugsy player in the final four which was composed of Bugsy bets--- Gomez, Dennis Orcollo and Jeffrey de Luna.
Zerna earlier defeated de Luna, 7-2, in the semi-final to arrange a titular showdown with Gomez, who beat Orcollo, 7-5, in other semis matchup.
It shall be recalled that Zerna, the pride of Dumaguete City defeated two Bugsy bets---Jundel "Jano" Mazon and Joven "The Shark" Bustamante to finish second with eventual winner American Charlie "The Korean" Williams in the 2007 Pro Tour Korea Championships last Nov.18 in Seoul, Korea.
Zerna's local and international campaign is fully backed up by Vis-Min billiards patron Jonathan Sy, also the president of the Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) under the watchful eye of coach/ manager Christopher Palses.
Meanwhile, Antonio Gabica, also of Bugsy and gold medalist in the 9-ball competition of the 2006 Doha Asian Games, ruled the first leg of the tour supported by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
Ricky Zerna Beats Roberto Gomez Wins P50,000 Purse
January 14, 2008