David Gutierrez and Kim White
On August 14th-15th the LSBT produced another successful event at Q Stix Billiards in Houston, Texas. The tour's first 8-Ball event, with $1,550 added, drew a field of 50 open players and 22 ladies. The star studded field included Rene Rendon, David Gutierrez, Brandon Shuff, Sam Manaole and other notables who contended for over $6,000 in cash.
Saturday's matches narrowed the field down to12 players for Sunday's action. Matches geared up at noon and pitted final four newcomer Brian Rosenbaum against Sylver Ochoa and Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant with Gutierrez. Rosenbaum ousted Ochoa and Gutierrez overcame Bryant. The west side 8 included Ernesto Bayaua v. John Newsome, Rendon v. Shuff, James Davis Jr. v. Danny Tam and Sam Manaole v. Barry Strickland. It was Manaole and Rendon who met Bryant and Ochoa respectively on the one loss side. Rendon bested Ochoa 4-3 and Bryant ousted Manaole 4-2. Rendon then fell 4-0 to Bryant. Meanwhile, in the hot seat, Gutierrez roasted Rosenbaum 5-0. On the west side, Rosenbaum met Bryant and his ill fate.
It was Gutierrez v. Bryant in the final. Gutierrez blazed out of the gate with a 2-0 lead and never quit. He secured his first tour win, undefeated, by a final score of 5-1 over Bryant.
There were also 22 talented ladies who competed for over $1,000 in prize money. Ricki Casper, Terry Petrosino, Ming Ng, and Yvette Reyes made up the final four winners' side with Cristina Delagarza, Heather Bryant, Kyu Yi, and Deanna Kniola on the west side. As it played out, Ng captured the winner's bracket over Casper 4-1. Petrosino then bested Casper who sent her west earlier but fell short to Ng in the final, 4-3.
LSBT extends many thanks to its sponsors: Poison Cues, Delta-13 Rack, Leagueshirts.com, and James Barnett. The next event will be held at Crazy 8's Family Pool Hall in Port Arthur, Texas August 28th-29th.
