Billiards: RP's Mistica, Almoite champions in LA 9-Ball Open

MANILA, July 15 (PNA) -- United States-based Ramon "Maestro" Mistica went undefeated through the field of 32 players at Hard Times Bellflower last weekend by winning over Fach Garcia 9-2 in the finals of LA 9-Ball Open in Los Angeles, California.

Garcia reached the hot seat by beating compatriot Jun "Dr J" Almoite 7-6. However, in the hotseat match, Mistica showed his brilliance in controlling the cue ball by demolishing Garcia 7-2.

On the left side of the bracket, Almoite recovered from his earlier loss; went on to eliminate Mexican and former World Champion Ismael "Morro" Paez 5-1 in the semifinal to earn the right to face Garcia again, only to lose in another hill-hill match, to set up an All-Filipino finals.

"I am unbeatable once my shots get going, especially with the white cue ball," Mistica said in a post-game interview with IM Marlon Bernardino.

Previously, Almoite wrapped up the competition at the 1st Danny K's Summer 9-Ball Shootout on July 9 to 10 in Anaheim, California.

Hardtimes Bellflower has made it a point to host a monthly Open 9-ball tournament every first weekend of July. This provides opportunity for most Filipino cue artists living around Los Angeles and San Diego area to come together and show their talent.

It is also a handicap tournament where players are classified based on their skills and talent. Organizer Danny K himself added US$ 1,000 to sweeten the pot for the field of 80 players who sign for the event.

Almoite remained undefeated through the event, besting Louie Jaimes 10-2, Jeff Martinez 10-4, Bubba Williams 10-2, Chito Manaloto 10-3, Tuan Nguyen 10-5, Eddie Cohen 10-4 and Henry Brodt 10-8.

On the losers' side, Brodt had to face another strong player in Mike Davis, who dealt him his second loss and a third place finish.

In a true double elimination tournament, Davis with the same handicap as Jun had to beat Almoite two sets of race to nine for the title. Jun, who was down 8-2 in the first set, rallied to win seven games in a row to grab the crown. (PNA)