Corteza rules Predator tilt, pockets P.57M

MANILA, Philippines—Lee Van Corteza wrapped up a scintillating run in the Predator Sweet 16 tournament by whipping American Rodney  Morris, 8-5, at The Block in SM City North Edsa, Quezon City Tuesday night.   Corteza mounted a searing rally from 0-4 down, rattling off seven racks in a row to get to the hill before Morris pulled one back for a 7-5 count.   But Corteza was not to be denied and took the final rack to pocket the top prize of 10,000 Euros which is approximately $13,000 (about P570,000).   Corteza had earlier ripped American Charlie Williams, 8-1, in the semifinals in which the youthful Filipino put together a total of six break and runouts in the eight games he won.   The tournament was cut short last year in Spain due to thunderstorms and strong winds that halted play.   The Last 16 was hosted by long-time billiards patron Sebastian “Baste” Chua at the famous Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City.     Negros billiards patron Jonathan Sy said Corteza’s victory “proves once again that the Filipino can be at par with the world’s best cue artists.”    Meantime,  local players seized all six slots up for grabs in the three qualifying for the main event, the Predator Championship.   Jech Limen, Ruben Cuna, Val Pajuay, Demosthenes Pulpul, Judy Villanueva  and DonDon Razalan joined pool legends Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, No. 1 seed Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez and Corteza in the Predator 10-Ball event scheduled to start last night also at The Block.