Runner-up finish
Davao's Corteza 2nd in 3rd World Pool Series
DAVAO City's Lee Vann Corteza salvaged runner-up honors after losing to Finland's Mika Immonen in the third leg of the World Pool Series 2017 Simonis Challenge Championship at Steinway Billiards, Astoria in New York City over the weekend.
Second leg champion Corteza, who hails from Mintal, bowed to Immonen, 9-11, in their best of two sets race to five 8-ball championship match.
Both players earned finals berths after beating their respective American rivals in the semifinals. Corteza, who topped the second series Kamui Challenge Championship in April this year, routed Manny Perez, 9-2, while Immonen defeated Brandon Shuff.
The 38-year-old Corteza also ousted Alan Rolon (9-5) of Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals after whipping Denis Grabe (9-3) of Estonia in Round 2 of the eliminations. The Dabawenyo veteran internationalist, who has won for the country several Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medals in the past, demolished American Billy Thorpe, 8-2, in the first round.
In 2013, Corteza emerged champion in the China Open and in the World Cup of Pool. He also bagged titles in the Manny Pacquiao International 10-Ball Championship and SMB Oktoberfest in 2011 following three titles won in 2010 - US Open 10-Ball, Predator 10-Ball and Hard Times 10-Ball. He formed part of the runner-up stint of Team Philippines in the World Team Championship held the same year.
With his decorated billiards career, retirement is far from his mind as of this time as he just arrived as of presstime in Las Vegas, Nevada to compete in the US Open 10-Ball and 8-Ball Championships 2017 at Griff's Las Vegas, Nevada. Shane Van Boening is set to defend his two titles.
Corteza's wife Gelia said, "Kararating nya lasa sa Las Vegas. May US Open dun at mag-iistay sya sa dun until August kasi may mga mga maliliit na tournaments din syang sasalihan."
Corteza, when then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte won the presidential elections last year, said he is willing to play for flag and country again as the Philippines will host the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2019.