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Borana Andoni and Caroline Pao Take Top Mezz Honors at Skyline Billiards

admin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:54:52 +0000

Linda Cheung, Borana Andoni, Caroline Pao, Susan Williams

Story & Photos by NYC Grind Contributor, Charles Eames

Though the turnout was low spirits were high as five competitors took to the tables in this mini Mezz event at Skyline Billiards. Caroline Pao, Linda Cheung, Denise Reeve, Susan Williams and Borana Andoni were in attendance for this exciting five way shootout.

First round action saw a nail biter in the match between Denise Reeve and Linda Cheung as they went hill hill in a race to seven. Neither player seemed to be able to get started or gain momentum in this match as racks went back and forth one by one. An unforced error in the last rack however with a scratch in the bottom corner pocket led to Denise’s downfall against Cheung. Another great matchup was Caroline Pao against Susan Williams who is on her way to the WPBA event in Niagara Falls. Caroline herself is no stranger to WPBA play and the spectators at Skyline Billiards were buzzing about this one. Although Caroline played great it wasn’t to be as Susan went on to win the match with a score of 7-4. Some fantastic position play and shot making led to this win and would send Susan into the winner’s side final.

On the loser’s side, Caroline Pao was itching to take her revenge out on anybody who came to the table and her first victim was the outmatched Denise Reeve. Caroline’s experience was evident in the match, and at no point did she seem concerned as she took Denise down 7-1.
Next up would see winner’s side action with the “Killer B” herself Borana Andoni taking on first round winner Linda Cheung. Borana had sat waiting with a bye in the first round and the time away from the table did not deter her from the mission at hand. Borana looked like a woman possessed as she steamrolled this match 7-1. By the fourth rack the frustration was evident on Linda’s face as she hadn’t taken a game away from the hot handed Andoni. In the sixth rack, Cheung would take a game and try to mount a comeback but it was too little too late as Andoni would take the next two games and the match.

WPBA pro “CaPao” Caroline Pao had to fight her way back for a chance at the finals (Photo by Charles Eames)

Now on to the final four, loser’s side action saw Caroline Pao against Linda Cheung, while the winner’s side saw a great matchup between Susan Williams and Borana Andoni. In the Caroline Pao Linda Cheung match it was a tight race at 2-2 until Caroline began to pull ahead. Although Cheung fought back with some fantastic shot making it wasn’t enough to hold off the battle ready Pao. In the winner’s side matchup Borana Andoni’s new nickname should have been the “Albanian Assassin” as she easily handled Susan Williams 7-0. Borana’s demeanor at the table was calm cool and controlled as she patiently examined each shot and executed shot after shot, rack after rack. In her own words Borana played “lights out” and after seeing that match this writer would have to agree. Borana’s game has definitely evolved in the last two years and after speaking with her I learned just how hard she works to perfect her game. She is also a driving force behind some major changes for the better in organizations like the WPBA who as most know are currently going through some difficulties. Although Susan was trying to fight back Borana simply fought harder taking the win and a spot in the finals.

“Queen B” Borana Andoni had her sights set on victory at Skyline. (Photo by Charles Eames)

Last but not least the rematch between Caroline Pao and Susan Williams was a hard fought one. Susan and Caroline both looked a little tired in the match and it seemed as though fatigue was setting in for both players. In the end Caroline came up victorious and after a few moments decided with Borana to split the prize money. Borana of course would be taking top honors for first place as she was on the winner’s side and Caroline taking second place.

All in all the event was fantastic and even though the turnout was less than expected due to the recent thanksgiving holiday tournament director Jose Burgos’ love for the women’s events he now over sees is evident and it comes as no surprise that he once again put on another great event.. If anyone had any doubt how hard these women work to get better and better they should come to one of these incredible events and see for themselves. They are fantastic players and in all honesty some of their male counterparts could learn a lot from the sportsmanship and pleasant demeanors.

Linda Cheung, winners Borana Andoni & Caroline Pao, Susan Williams (Photo by Charlie Eames)

Payout:

1st: Borana Andoni – $160
2nd: Caroline Pao – $100

A big thank you goes out to Mezz Cues and of course Skyline Billiards for hosting this amazing event. Check out www.MezzTour.com for more info on the Mezz Women’s Tour and schedule listing.

Check out more photos from the event below!

Immonen over Dechaine for Ocean State Title

admin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:08:19 +0000

Jarrod Clowery, Mike Dechaine and Mika Immonen

Mika Immonen came out on top of a field of 79 players to win the Joss NE 9-Ball Tour’s 22nd Annual Ocean State 9-Ball Championship on November 13-14, but it wasn’t as easy as it originally looked like it might be for Immonen.

From the beginning of the event, it was pretty obvious that both Immonen and Mike Dechaine would be the players to beat in this event. As the brackets came together, the two would have to face off in the final eight on the winners side.

Heading up to the match with Dechaine, Immonen had been relatively untested as we had not allowed an opponent more than 4 games in a match. The match with Dechaine was no different as Mika ran away with a 9-3 win.

Immonen just kept cruising through the event and ran over Jarrod Clowery 9-4 to take the hot-seat and await an opponent in the finals.

On the one loss side, Dechaine has dusted himself off and dispatched five straight opponents to earn another shot at Immonen in the true double elimination finals.

The first set of the finals was a completely different story than the earlier meeting between these two. This time, Dechaine was able to stay with Immonen game for game and with the score tied at 7-7, Dechaine took charge and ran back to back racks for a 9-7 win.

With both players having losses, one final race to nine was required to crown a champion. Immonen came out strong in the final set and raced to a 5-2 lead, but Dechaine wasn’t done yet. Dechaine came back to win five of the next six games to take the lead at 7-6. Immonen won the next game and the players found themselves at 7-7 again. This time, it was Immonen who took control, winning the final two games for the 9-7 win and first place.

Immonen earned $2500 for the win, while Dechaine consoled himself with $1700 in prize money.

Next up for the Joss Tour is a $2000 added event at Bison Billiards in Buffalo, NY next weekend. That will be the last event before the Turning Stone Classic XVI at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY on December 16-19. Inquiries regarding the Turning Stone event should be directed to Mike Zuglan at 518-356-7163.

Josh Brothers is the Men’s Maryland State Champion on the Mezz Tour!

admin — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:39:22 +0000

Champion Josh Brothers & Runner Up Mike Sigel

The Maryland State Men’s 10-Ball Championships on the Mezz Pro-Am 9-ball Tour was held at Champion Billiards Café on Saturday, November 6, 2010. This event drew a number of the region’s top names in pool, including Champion Billiards’ house pro Mike Sigel, Michael Wilson, Bob Madara, Josh Brothers, Adam Kielar, Matt Krah, Manny Chau, Bruce Nagle and Kevin West.

Going through the top half of the winner’s bracket undefeated was Adam Kielar, who had wins over Brett Stottlemyer 7-5, Kaloyan Rusannov 7-5, and then a forfeit from Josh Brothers to give an automatic win to Kielar. Meanwhile, Mike Sigel led the way in the bottom half of the bracket, taking wins versus Dan Madded 7-1, Jose Burgos 7-1, Kevin West 7-4, and Manny Chau 7-6.

The hot seat match was then set between Adam Kielar and Mike Sigel… this was a good match where Sigel pulled away late to win easily 7-4, to send Adam Kielar to wait for the winner of the loser’s bracket.

While Josh Brothers had to forfeit his match against Adam Kielar after showing up late to the tournament, this did not deter him from kicking into gear on the one-loss side. Brothers went on a tear, defeating Brett Stottlemyer 7-5, Matt Krah 7-4, and Adam Kielar 7-4 in the semifinal to get to the final match.

In the finals, Josh Brothers faced off against undefeated Mike Sigel, which would be a single race to seven for the title. Sigel took an early 3-0 lead in this match, but Josh Brothers came back by winning the next 6 games to take a 6-3 lead. Sigel then won the next 2 games to make it 6-5, however, Josh Brothers put on a show in the last rack to win the Maryland State 10-Ball Championship. Congratulations to Josh for this big comeback win!

Josh, who is currently the #1-ranked player on the Mezz Tour, would like to thank his sponsor Dan DeCola. The Mezz Tour would also like to thank all of their sponsors, along with all the players who made it out to compete in this event.

Josh Brothers (1st) & Mike Sigel (2nd)

The next event coming up on the Mezz Tour will be held on November 14th at Rockaway Billiards in Rockaway, NJ. Visit www.MezzTour.com and www.NYCGrind.com to learn more.

Payout:

1st: Josh Brothers – $1100
2nd: Mike Sigel – $625
3rd: Adam Kielar – $300
4th: Matt Krah – $200
5th/6th: Brett Stottlemyer, Manny Chau – $150
7th/8th: Ryan McCreesh, Kevin Wes – $100

Megan Smith Makes a Comeback to Claim the Maryland State 10-ball Championships

admin — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:32:10 +0000

Runner up Briana Miller & Champion Megan Smith

The Women’s Maryland State 10-Ball Championship was held at Champion Billiard Café Saturday November 6, 2010. Included among the top players in the field were Denise Reeve, Patti Jakusz, Eugenia Gyftopoulos, Nicole Vincent, Linda Shea, Briana Miller, and Megan Smith.

15-year-old phenom Briana Miller led the top half of the winner’s bracket, with dominant wins over Patti Jakusz 7-1 and Nicole Vincent 7-1. Leading the bottom half of the was Linda Shea, with wins over Eugenia Gyftopoulos 7-4 and Megan Smith 7-5.

Linda Shea then took on Briana Miller in the match for the hot seat… which turned out to be a good battle where Briana pulled away late in the match to win 7-4, sending Linda to the one-los side.

After having lost to Linda in the winner’s bracket, Megan Smith regained her momentum and went on to beat Patti Jakusz 6-5, Nicole Vincent 6-3, and then won her rematch with Linda Shea 6-5 to get to the finals.

The final two remaining players, Megan Smith and Briana Miller, faced off in a single race to seven for the title. The final would be a one-sided match, and when it was all said and done, Megan Smith walked away with a final score of 7-2 to win the Maryland State 10-ball title.

The Mezz Women’s Tour would like to thank all their sponsors, along with all the players that came out to play at Champion Billiards Café.

Check out more info on www.MezzTour.com and www.NYCGrind.com.

Pao and Andoni Co-Champions at Mr. Cue Billiards

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:29:18 +0000

Co-Champion Borana Andoni, 3rd place finisher Gina Kim, owner Scott Murphy, Co-Champion Caroline Pao

Mezz women tour made its way to Mr. Cue Billiards in Lindenhurst NY on Oct 30th. Special thanks to Scott Murphy for hosting the event, A strong but small field came out to play. Players like Caroline Pao, Borana Andoni, Gina Kim, Theresa Intelisano, Kim Meyer,and Denise Reeve.

Leading the top half of the bracket was Borana Andoni with wins over Theresa Intelisano 7-1, and Denise Reeve 7-2. Eading the bottom half of the bracket was Caroline Pao with wins over Erin McManus 7-5, and Kim Myer 7-5. Playing for the hot seat was Caroline Pao Vs Borana Andoni, this was a great match that went hill hill but when it was all said and done it was Caroline Pao winning the match 7-6 sending Andoni to the one lost side.

Waiting for Borana Andoni on the one lost side was Gina Kim this match also was a great match but it was Andoni pulling away late in the match to win 7-5. In the finals it was Caroline Pao Vs Borana Andoni, this match did not take place Caroline and Borana decided to be co-champions.

I would like to thank all the sponsors for their ongoing support and all the players that came out to play. Complete Payouts:

1st Caroline Pao $200
1st Borana Andoni $130
2nd Gina Kim $80
3rd Theresa Intelisano $50
Visit mezztour.com and nycgrind.com for more information.

Bonilla Defends His Home Turf

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:26:08 +0000

2nd place finisher Mike Miller, owner Scott Murphy, winner Oscar Bonilla

Mezz Pro-Am tour made its way to Mr. Cue Billiards in Lindenhurst NY Sunday October 31st. Special thanks to Scott Murphy for hosting the event . A strong field came out to play, players Oscar Bonilla, Mike Miller, Josh Brothers , and Scott Murphy to name a few.

Leading the top have of the bracket was Oscar Bonilla with wins over Bill Gallagher 7-4, and Victor Nau 7-3. Leading the bottom was Mike Miller with wins over Jose Burgos 7-3, Snooky 7-3, and Pete Tascarella Jr. 7-4. Playing for the hot was Mike Miller vs Oscar Bonilla, this was a great match with Oscar Bonilla pulling away with a 7-4 win sending Mike Miller to the one lost side.

Making his move on the one lost side was Josh Brothers with wins over Erin McManus 7-0, Bill Gallagher 7-1, Pete Tascarea Jr. 7-2, and Scott Muphy 7-5 but it all came to an end when Mike Miller beat Josh Brothers 7-4 to get back to the finals.

In the finals it was a rematch between Mike Miller Vs Oscar Bonilla, Miller has to beat Bonilla twice to win the event. The first set was all Mike Miller winning easily 7-4 but in the second set it was Oscar Bonilla keeping it together pulling out the win 7-5 and winning the event.

I would like to thank all the sponsors and all the players that came out to play. Complete Payouts:

1st Oscar Bonilla $450
2nd Mike Miller $255
3rd Josh Brothers $150
4th Scott Murphy
Visit mezztour.com and nycgrind.com for more information.