Lucky Lucido wins Monday 9-ball

Sometimes you don’t only need to be good but also lucky.

Joey Lucido proved this once more in the regular Monday 9-Ball Tournament held last Nov. 29 at Corner Pocket.

Lucido banked on crucial mistakes from finals opponent and defending champion Zheng Juan Qing and some nifty shots of his own to pull off the championship, which spilled over to the morning of Nov. 30 at the Garapan sports bar.

In the first round, Lucido got off to a rousing start following a 4-3 win against a slumping Jerry Soriano. Just two weeks ago, Soriano became only the second player in Corner Pocket history to win four straight in the Monday 9-Ball Tournament.

Other opening round results saw Ruel Mariano slip by Vic S. Hocog. 4-3; Zheng beat Luis Fajardo, 4-2; Primo Rivera getting a nine-ball on the break in the final game to defeat Howard Mallari, 4-3; Robert Sanciangco upset Nolan Cultura, 4-1; Erick Caisip edge Juancho Mendoza, 4-3; Rolly Buenaventura sweep Bert Mettao, 5-0; and Roger “The Ghost” Espiritu put on a clinic in his 5-1 victory over Leonard Sablan.

Lucido had a far easier stint in the second round compared to the first round when he nearly skunked Sanciangco 4-1. Zheng also had stroll in the park, defeating Mariano 4-2. Espiritu also advanced following a 5-1 win over Rivera. Caisip, on the other hand, leaned on his handicap to turn back Buenaventura 4-4. However, Buenaventura is expected to come back in a big way next week when he sheds his handicap.

In the third round, Lucido blasted Caisip 4-2 to secure passage to the finals. Zheng, for his part, held on to beat Espiritu after Saipan’s No. 1 pool player rallied from a 3-0 deficit to make it interesting.

Zheng drew first blood in the championship but committed an error on the middle balls to literally give away the second game to Lucido. Zheng bounced back in the third game to take a 2-1 lead but that turned out to be his last hurrah, as Lucido won the next three games to secure the 4-2 win.

Lucido had his entire arsenal of shots working for him in the championship round. In the fourth game, the Fun & Games employee made a great combination on the 9-ball to fish the win. He also cleaned the table in the fifth before Lady Luck again smiled on the veteran, as another 9-ball combination appeared in sight in the sixth. He immediately jumped on the opportunity and made the shot to secure the championship. It was Lucido’s first win at Corner Pocket since early September.

Corner Pocket’s Monday 9-Ball Tournament rolls off every Monday beginning at 9pm. The competition uses a handicap system to give beginners a chance against top-caliber players. Entry fee is $10 and first place and second place are guaranteed prize money.

Corner Pocket has also moved its Tuesday 8-Ball Tournament to Thursday. Play starts at 8:30pm. Participants must fork over $15 to enter the double-elimination competition. Progressive pot for 8-ball in a break will apply.

Both the regular 9-ball and 8-ball tournaments use the rules of the Billiards Congress of America. For more information on the regular Monday 9-Ball Tournament and Thursday 8-Ball Tournament, please contact Ken Phillips at 233-POOL (7665).