Soriano soars in USSP Marianas Turkey Shoot

The Marianas Turkey Shoot happened more than 60 years ago during World War II when U.S. Navy planes shot down hundreds of Japanese aircraft in the Allies’ island-hopping drive toward the Land of the Rising Sun.

Although pool ace Jerry Soriano didn’t have to drop the same number of striped and solid balls during the inaugural Marianas Turkey Shoot Pool Tournament at USS Peleliu Club in Garapan, he still made enough shots to rule the event Saturday night.

The Saipan Ice and Water employee swept the elimination round to top the winners’ bracket and then sat and watched as Vic S. Hocog outplay Gary Orpiano for the second finals spot.

Hocog, who lost badly to Soriano in the semis after a miscue on a routine shot on the 1-ball, came out smoking in the first game and seemed focus in eliminating his opponent’s twice-to-beat advantage in the championship.

He opened up by sinking the 3-ball and 2-ball before misfiring on the 7. Soriano retaliated by making good on three straight shots but missed on a soft shot on the 11-ball. That mistake went on to hunt him in the end as Hocog took care of the rest of his allotted solid balls before sinking the 8-ball on the left corner pocket.

It was an altogether different ballgame in the winner-take-all second game, however, as Soriano this time had vengeance written all over his face. After an exchange of three- and two-ball runs, the 34-year-old Pampanga native reverted to his machine-like accuracy and proceeded to drop four straight before coming up short on the 8-ball, with the last ball falling a mere inch from hitting the bottom of the right corner pocket.

The heartbreaker brought Hocog back to the table but it was already obvious at that point he was only a mistake away from getting the coup de grace. After making good on two salvos, his end came when his combination safety shot failed to carom the 8-ball away from its precarious position. With the cue ball and 8-ball aligned perfectly for Soriano, Hocog gentlemanly conceded the match and the championship.

Soriano earned $60 for the win, while Hocog and Orpiano didn’t go home empty-handed with $40 and $20, respectively. The trio also won frozen turkey packages and a number of gift items from sponsor Pacific Trading Co. and Miller Lite.

Other cue artists that joined the double elimination, call pocket, 8-ball tournament were Senen Pangilinan, Edward Suzuki, Rowell Mariano, Marvin Bauchelong, R.E. Rengiil, Bern Ikeda, Ron Chisato, and Chris Carlson.

USS Peleliu Club owners Ken and Rose Phillips congratulated Soriano, Hocog, and Orpiano for winning the top three slots in the tournament and thanked all participants for joining. The couple also extended their gratitude to PTC and Miller Lite for sponsoring the competition. Rose Phillips said she intends to make the Marianas Turkey Shoot Pool Tournament an annual event.