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EDWIN TORO CLAIMS NATIONAL TITLE
Monday,
10 September, 2007
2nd Puerto Rico 9-Ball Championships, Guaynabo
The Puerto Rican Billiard Federation invited to 2007 National 9-Ball Championship whereupon on september 2 all the nation's cracks set out to Guaynabo in the northern coast of the island. 4 new Brunswick Gold Crown exclusive for the event has been established at the Criollo Sports Bar.
Before the tournament one couldn't discern a clear favourite. The national ranking's leaders - Edgardo Irizarry, Orlando Morales and Edwin Toro - as well as the pros Julio Aquino and Edgardo Ramirez were considered for the title. In the forefront surely also stood the participants of the prestigious annual Puerto Rico Challenge in january, former National Champion Juan Rodriguez and Luis Cancel. At the end the US boys John Schmidt and Johnny Archer with Schmidt as the winner were splitting the prize, but both Puerto Ricans performed well.
Already in the first rounds of the double elimination tournament there were some surprises when Florida pro circuit player Julio "El Boricua" Aquino lost to Luis Butler 5-7 and Yamil Martinez won over Eric González 7-4. In one less bracket's first round the event to Aquino even came to an end when he lost to Juan "Joito" Poventud.
In last 8 winners side matches Edwin Toro overcame to Jason Cross with 7-2, Juan "Papin" Rodriguez defeated Yamil Martinez 7-6, Nelson Rivera won over Javier de Jesus in another closed match 7-6 and Javier "Javi" Perez with 7-4 came out on top against Edgardo Irizarry. 3 of the loosers overcame the next one loss round (up to 5). Martinez vs Enrique Montalvo 5-2, Irizarry vs Luis Lassalle 5-4 and Jesus vs Wilbert Ortiz 5-4. Only Jason Cross had to yield to strong Orlando "Hulk" Morales, who defeated him 5-3.
On winners side Edwin Toro paved his way further on by a 7-4 win over Juan Rodriguez. The other match between Rivera and Perez ended 7-5.
On one loss side Morales overcame to Martinez 5-4 and then defeated Perez 5-1. Irizarry whitewashed Jesus 5-0, thereafter he beat Rodriguez 5-4.
For Toro and Rivera the times was come to get a spot in the final. With a 7-4 Edwin Toro sent Nelson Rivera to the loosers round and booked the first final place. The one loss side match between Morales and Irizarry ended 5-4, but thereafter Morales was beaten by Rivera, what braought him the 3rd place.
San Sebastian's Nelson C. Rivera-Mercado returned to face again Edwin Toro and surely he tried to take revenge. But Toro did not feel like loosing in the final. With a comfortably 7-2 Edwin R. Toro Ramos claimed the 2007 Puerto Rico 9-Ball title.
Results:
Champion - Edwin R. Toro
2nd - Nelson C. Rivera-Mercado
3rd - Orlando Morales
4th - Edgardo Irizarry
5th - Javier Perez, Juan Rodriguez
7th - Yamil Martinez, Javier de Jesus
9th - Wilbert Ortiz, Luis Lassalle, Enrique Montalvo, Jason Cruz
13th - Juan Poventud, Luis Cancel, Edgardo Ramirez, Jose L. Roman
17th - Ramon Vazquez, Eric Gonzalez, Jose Miguel Torres, Luis Butler, Juan Lebron, Reinaldo Dendearena, Noel Orona, Edwin Rivera
25th - Alfredo Guzman, Victor Vega, Cruz Gonzalez, Nelson L. Rivera-Vega, Francisco Palacios, Rolando Perez, Julio Aquino, Marcos Ramirez-Lavandero
The writer thanks to Harold Acosta, President Puerto Rican Billiard Federation.
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