Previous Story
Hustlers claim Budweiser Cup championship
|
Posted on May 31 2006
Round Two Hustlers staked claim to the championship of the 8-Ball Budweiser Cup against never-say-die USSP Dreams Tuesday evening at the USS Peleliu Club in Garapan.
After beating rival Da Place Sure Shots in the semis last week, Hustlers was expected to waltz to the championship of the side event for the Budweiser SBA Open 8-Ball League.
However, the USSP players were not the lame ducks Round Two players expected them to be and put up a spirited fight before falling 4-2 against the Jerry Soriano-powered Hustlers team.
Soriano and veteran cue artist Rowel Mariano put the Hustlers on the board with two-game sweeps of Marvin Cabo and Rodel Dela Cruz to give Round Two an early 2-0 lead.
But Dreams was not to be outdone as the team quickly retaliated and forged a 2-2 tie when Eduard Armia applied the broom on Nolan Cultura and Richard Celestino pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat versus Joey Lucido.
With their grip on a sure thing slowly slipping, Soriano teamed up with Mario Diola opposite Cabo and Rick Elefante. After a slow start, Soriano and Diola worked around difficult shots to win the first game and then used that momentum to win the second for a 3-2 Round Two lead.
Mariano and Cultura then secured the victory after winning two of three games against Armia and Celestino.
“It was a hard-earned victory. USSP Dreams played their hearts out and didn’t seem intimidated by us. But we persevered, regained our confidence, and that gave us the win,” said a beaming Soriano after the game.
The Saipan Ice and Water Co. deliveryman thanked Budweiser for sponsoring the league and Round Two Bar and Grill for supporting their team. He also had nice words for his teammates, who all stuck together despite losing the bigger Budweiser SBA Open 8-Ball League a few weeks back.
Pacific Amusement, the same company that runs the leagues of the Saipan Electronic Darts Association, organizes the 8-Ball Budweiser Cup and the Budweiser SBA Open 8-Ball League.
For more information about the two pool competitions and the SEDA leagues, contact Vivien Elloraza at 233-4397.
