Juancho Mendoza tops Halloween 8-ball

Juancho Mendoza didn’t drop a game in taking the USS Peleliu Club Halloween 8-Ball Tournament championship Saturday.

James Kintaro just fell short with his own undefeated run through the losers’ bracket.

Mendoza raced to the top of the winners’ bracket, getting by John Mongami, edging out Nolan Cultura, and outdueling Taylor Watanabe.

Watanabe bested Kintaro and Annie Tesiro to set up the winner’s bracket showdown.

Mendoza has been known for years in Saipan pool circles for consistently being one of the best players. The other players were in top form, but he was just a little better.

After losing his first game to Watanabe, Kintaro just kept getting better with each game.

He eliminated Franz De Luna, then eked out a long win over Cultura. Their game was more like a chess match, with both players trying not to give their opponent an easy shot. Mongami’s seven-ball run didn’t slow him down and Watanabe also fell short, having to settle for third place. Mongami had handed a second loss to Ron Chisato and Tesiro.

With one loss already in the double-elimination tournament, Kintaro needed to beat Mendoza twice for the championship. He may have already been thinking about that second game, as he easily pocketed his balls but forced the 8-ball to rim out of the side pocket.

Mendoza gratefully pocketed the win and the first-place money. He and Kintaro also got Budweiser and Bud Light chairs. The Top 3 finishers got trophies and cash prizes.

“We didn’t get our 16 players,” said Ken Phillips of USSP. “Maybe 7pm was too early. We waited more than an hour to start, but there were still latecomers. We try to accommodate everybody, but were just finishing the first round when they came.”

More pool was on tap last night with the Monday 8-ball tournament, which started at 8pm. The entry fee was a budget-friendly $5.

“It’s good practice for a chance to win a turkey and cash at our annual Marianas Turkey Shoot on Nov. 26,” said Phillips.

For more information about USSP’s Halloween 8-Ball Tournament, contact Ken or Rose Phillips at 233-1984.

Last year, Rolly Villanueva won the Halloween 8-Ball Tournament after besting a 16-player field.

Villanueva roared through the 8-ball winners’ bracket, defeating Ryan Odicta, Ed Suzuki, and Victor S. Hocog in quick fashion before dismissing Ed Manucdoc in the championship to win the Hallow’s Eve event. [B][I](USSP)[/I][/B]