Espiritu flashes form in Thursday pool

Two days after falling short of winning the Tuesday ladies 8-ball handicap, Roger Espiritu came back with the vengeance to rule the Miller Lite Invitational 8-Ball Tournament last Thursday at Round Two Bar and Grill in Garapan.

Espiritu was simply unstoppable that evening. After getting a bye in the first round, the man they dubbed The Ghost made mincemeat of Ike Celis and Jerry Soriano in his first two trips to the green felt table.

He then beat up on the CNMI’s Dean of Billiards David Peter to grab the twice-to-beat advantage in the championship round.

Much like what he does when his already in front, Espiritu wasted no time and needed just one game to secure the Thursday championship outdueling archrival Victor Hocog in an abbreviated finals.

Espiritu earned $110 for the win and also took home a pretty first place trophy. Hocog settled for the $75 runner-up purse, while David Peter finished third and got $40.

Other pool regulars that graced the tournament were Gary Ridley, Joe Shaffer, Frank Codog, Jerry Hodges, Gene Sablan, David Maratita, Manny Mariano, Boyet Sequioco, Roger Madriaga, and Bert Mettao.

Espiritu wasn’t as fortunate on the Tuesday Ladies Handicap 8-Ball Tournament though. The Ghost had a terrific run before Ruth Koshiba sent him crashing back to earth and had to settle for second place.

Like Espiritu on Thursday, Koshiba went undefeated in the elimination round and had victories over Joe Shaffer, Alfred Kileleman, Espiritu and Kippy Aiken to secure the first finals seat and the all important twice-to-beat advantage in the championship round.

But Espiritu ambushed Koshiba in the first game of the finals and forced a rubber match. She, however, regrouped and won the second game to take home $80 in cash and a trophy. Espiritu and Aiken got $50 and $30, respectively.

Jeff Brown, Victor Hocog, David Peter, Mei Hui Jin, Kim Prinz, Emi Peter-Palican, Gary Ridley, Gene Sablan, Ning Copeland, John Peter, and Ryan Borja also graced the Tuesday tournament.

On Sunday, Ning Copeland defeated Senen Pangilinan to hoist the championship of the Happy Mother’s Day 8-Ball Tournament.

Copeland went undefeated during the evening. She opened up with a win over David Peter. Then followed it up with a victory over Roy Conn. Next to fall were Victor Hocog and Pangilinan allowing Copeland twice-to-beat advantage in the finals.

She needed just one game to wrap up the title and was rewarded with the $60 winner-take-all prize. Pangilinan and Noi Olopai settled for runner-up and first runner-up bragging rights.

The Mother’s Day bash was also participated in by Curtis Newman, Manny Mariano, Ken Coutere, Roman Rodriguez, Owen Rumley, and Rosemarie Moses-Arnold.

Round Two hosts three regular tournaments a week. The Sunday Winner-Take-All Fun Tournament starts at 1pm and entry costs is $5 per player. Depending on the number of lady participants, the competition switches from regular to an 8-ball handicap format.

The Tuesday Ladies Handicap 8-Ball Tournament is held every Tuesday starting at 8pm and has an entry fee of $10.

On Thursdays, Round Two holds the exciting Miller Lite Invitational 8-Ball Tournament starting at 8pm. Entry fee is $15 on regular days but goes up to $25 every last Thursday of the month.

For more information on Round Two’s tournaments, please call 234-6930.