Soriano tops Budweiser Battle of the Champions

Jerry Soriano, center, won the Budweiser Battle of the Champions billiards tournament last Saturday at the New Bamboo Bar in the Saipan Las Vegas Resort along Middle Road. (Contributed photo)

Jerry Soriano engineered the mother of comebacks in the Budweiser Battle of the Champions billiards tournament last Saturday at the New Bamboo Bar in the Saipan Las Vegas Resort along Middle Road.

The 50-year-old native of Mexico, Pampanga in the Philippines defeated Ray Matsunaga twice in the championship round to win the inaugural tournament sponsored by Marianas Pacific Distributors Inc.

Soriano started off his campaign on the wrong foot after a loss to Rowell “Cobra” Mariano relegated him to the loser’s bracket. With one loss separating him from elimination, he began his comeback with a victory over Ben Norita. He made it two in a row after disposing of Jess Fariñas before advancing to the loser’s bracket semifinals with a win over Randy David.

In the bottom Final Four, Soriano made it four straight triumphs after beating his first-round tormentor Mariano. He then amazingly made it to the winner’s bracket finals with Jess Guerra, who he also beat.

Soriano then surprised Matsunaga in Game 1 of the championship round to negate his twice-to-beat advantage. He then pulled out all the stops in Game 2 to complete his improbable run to the Budweiser Battle of Champions title.

“There was a lot of luck involved in my victory. I want to thank Saipan Vegas that fortunately hasn’t gotten tired supporting the sport of billiards and pool players on the island. Also thanked New Bamboo Bar for staging these tournaments.

It was a sorry for Matsunaga who zoomed to three straight wins before being stopped dead on his tracks by a rampaging Soriano. He first won against Fel Kalen to get out of the first round and in the second round, he defeated Lito Pangilinan to advance to the winner’s bracket semifinals. In the semis, he dropped Mariano to the loser’s bracket and then made it to the championship round and the all-important twice-to-advantage when he got the better of Cesar Sangalang, who wound up in third place. The Top 3 got Budweiser T-shirts and other in-kind prizes.

A total of 16 pool masters took part in the Budweiser Battle of the Champions billiards tournament at the New Bamboo Bar. It will culminate with the yearend Battle of Champions tournament where $2,000 in cash prizes will be at stake. For more information about the once-in-45 days tournament, call Soriano at 588-1971.