Little known Mazon captures World Series 10-ball crown

SHUT OUT in the local circuit, Jundel “Janno” Mazon couldn’t have picked a better tournament to win his first title

 Finally living up to his potential, the 34-year-old from Manila fought back from four racks down to overwhelm Indonesia’s Irsal Nasution, 10-5, yesterday and rule the 2010 Guinness World Series of Pool 10-Ball Championship before a stunned crowd at the Mall Taman Anggrek in Jakarta, Indonesia.    Given little chance to win because of the illustrious field in the tournament, the shaven-skulled Mazon used near-perfect safeties, precise pocketing and superb positional play to nail the crown and the $40,000 top purse.    
“This title is very special not only because it is my first but also because the tournament has so many great players,” said Mazon, in a message to the Inquirer relayed through Negros Billiard Stable manager Christopher Palses. “This win is for my countrymen, especially people who did not give up on me even when I wasn’t winning.”   The hometown crowd was already looking forward to crowning an Indonesian champion when Nasution, who ousted Filipino Ronnie Alcano, 8-5, in the quarterfinals, sprinted to a 5-1 lead against Mazon.   But Mazon, backed by businessman Jonathan Sy, won nine straight racks, a remarkable feat with the alternate break format being applied in the finals.   Mazon befuddled the hometown bet with safeties, eventually leading to open tables that he easily ran out.     There was a portent of big things to come for Mazon, who also came from behind to oust former world champion Darren Appleton of Great Britain, 8-5, in the semifinals.   Appleton also led 5-3 before Mazon won five straight racks to frustrate the Englishman.   Mazon, relying on a variety of kick shots and rail combinations, reached the hill at 7-5 and finally sealed the win by running out the rack after Appleton missed a corner pot on the pink 4.   On his way to the title, Mazon also beat compatriot Antonio Gabica, 8-5, in the round of 16, before bundling out Japan’s Naoyuki Oi, 8-6, in the quarterfinals.   Aside from Alcano and Appleton, the tough field also included Ralf Souquet of Germany, Shane Van Boening of the United States and Filipino stars Lee Van Corteza, Antonio Lining, Antonio Gabica and Dennis Orcollo.   Mazon’s purse is actually bigger by $4,000 than the one won by Francisco “Django” Bustamante when he captured the World Pool 9-Ball Championship last month in Doha, Qatar.