Bogie Uzdejczyk, Keith Diaz, Luis Jimenez and Owner Kevin Buckley in the back
The last time Bogie Uzdejczyk won a Tri-State event (Oct. 20), he opted for the loss-side route. Sent west in the opening round of play, he won 10 in a row and then defeated hot seat occupant, Guy Iannuzzi. On Saturday, December 1, at a $1,500-added, A-D handicapped event that drew 36 entrants to Gotham City Billiards in Brooklyn, NY, he chose a more direct route; undefeated, direct to the hot seat, and a victory in the finals (both) over Luis Jimenez.
Uzdejczyk began his campaign with victories over Brian Marshall, Lidio Ramirez, and survived a double hill battle against Gary Murgia to move among the winners' side final four, where he met up with Dave Shlemperis. Jimenez, in the meantime, took on Keith Diaz. Uzdejczyk and Jimenez advanced to the hot seat match with victories over Shlemperis, 7-4 by Uzdejczyk, and Diaz, 6-4 by Jimenez. Uzdejczyk took the first of his two against Jimenez 7-3 and waited in the hot seat for his return.
On the loss side, Murgia had moved west and defeated Arturo Reyes 7-4, and Koka Davladze 7-3, to pick up Shlemperis. Diaz drew Yomaylin Feliz, who'd gotten by Thomas Rice and Alex Borukhovich, both 6-5, to reach him. Two double hill matches sent Murgia (over Shlemperis) and Diaz (over Feliz) to the quarterfinals.
Diaz prevailed in those quarterfinals 7-3 and got a second shot at Jimenez, who'd sent him west from among the winners' side final four. Jimenez took their semifinal second set 6-3, to earn his own second chance against Uzdejczyk.
Jimenez opened the finals with two straight racks, and after giving one up to Uzdejczyk, chalked up a third. It proved to be his last. Uzdejczyk took command with a six-pack to secure the event title.
Tri-State Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff of Gotham City Billiards, as well as sponsors Sterling-Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Poison Cues, Ron Tarr Cues, Kamui Tips, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, and Human Kinetics. The next stop on the Tri-State Tour is a $1,000-added, A-D handicapped event, scheduled for Saturday, December 15 at Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ.
