INQUIRER Sports

Multiple Southeast Asian Games gold medallist Lee Vann ?The Slayer? Corteza preserved his unbeaten run in the 34th Annual US Open 9-Ball Championship by routing Britain?s Imram Majid, 11-5 yesterday and fortifying his title bid in the event touted as the world?s most prestigious 9-ball competition.

The Davao City ace Corteza, registered his six straight victory and is the last Filipino remaining in the winners? brackets of the 256-player tournament held at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

The tournament champion this year will pocket $100,000 or almost P1Million.

Meanwhile, Filipino pool legend Jose ?Amang? Parica officially ended his campaign after losing to former world 9-ball king Johnny ?The Scorpion? Archer of the USA, 11-5.

With his second loss, the West Covina-based Parica joined former double world champion Ronato ?Volcano? Alcano, Al Lapena, Warren ?Warrior? Kiamco and latest Filipino casualties Marlon ?Marvelous?Manalo in the sidelines.

Manalo lost yesterday to Mike Dechaine, 11-6.

Two Filipino bets Roberto ?Pinoy Superman? Gomez and Ramil ?Bebeng? Gallego are still fighting in the losers? side.