Hocog hangs tough against Santos

Vic S. Hocog capitalized on crucial miscues by rolly polly Erick Santos in the championship game to clinch the Monday 9-Ball Tournament at Corner Pocket last Monday.

Santos, who was the defending champion of the competition after winning the Dec. 6 edition of the tournament, was on the comeback trail tying the series at 3-3 after overhauling a 1-3 deficit.

He was in control of the seventh and deciding game, running the ball and entertaining the crowd with his usual comic banter. But he made a critical error on the 8-ball overshooting the mark that brought Hocog back to the table.

The big Chamorro made good of the opportunity and proceeded to pocket the finals two balls, as Hocog silenced Santos’ loudness and won the title in roller coaster fashion.

Hocog struggled in the second and third rounds after registering a sweep of Ruel Mariano in the opening round.

Other results in the first round saw Roger “The Ghost” Espiritu beat Eric Caisip, 4-0; Santos skunk Juancho Mendoza, 4-0; Luis Fajardo squeak past Bert Mettao, 3-2; Boyet Sequioco, close out Mario Diola, 3-1; Wily Roman shock Zheng Jian Qing, 3-2; Nolan Cultura sweep Rommel Crisostomo, 3-1; and Leonard Sablan oust Primo Rivera, 3-1.

In the second round, Hocog had his hands full against Roman but persevered and advanced with a 5-3 victory. Other second round games saw Santos nose out Espiritu in a classic encounter, 4-3; Sequioco slip past Fajardo, 4-3, in yet another tight match; and Cultura sweep Sablan, 4-0.

Hocog then needed his “A” game in his semifinal encounter against Cultura, as the relative newcomer gave the A-lister a tough time before losing in a score of 5-2.

Santos, for his part, took care of vastly improved Boyet Sequioco, 5-3, and got a shot at defending his weekly title only to be denied by good friend Hocog.

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 on 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).