Albay goes undefeated on Tri-State stop

Wilfredo Albay ended up winning one match less than his finals opponent, Geoffrey Bauer, on the Tri-State tour stop on Saturday, November 7. Albay went undefeated through six opponents, including Bauer in the finals, while Bauer, who was moved to the one-loss side in the third round of play, defeated seven to get back to that final match. The $750-added, B-D handicapped event drew 30 entrants to a new venue for the Tri-State Tour – Eastside Billiards in Manhattan.

After victories over Mike Davie, Bhavin Patel and Robert Kight, Albay defeated Yomaylin Feliz 6-1 from among the winners' side final four to get into the hot seat match against tour newcomer Kyle Ferris. Ferris, in his first appearance on the tour, had sent tour veteran Gary Murgia west 7-5. Ferris and Albay battled to double hill before Albay prevailed and waited for what turned out to be Bauer's return from the one-loss side.

After victories over Alan Chan and Nieshen Fernando, Bauer was among the winners' side final eight, when he ran into Murgia, who sent him west 7-5. Bauer then defeated Patrick Meyers 7-4 and Teddy Lubis 7-5 to meet Feliz. Murgia was met by Kight, who'd advanced past Sam Li 7-4 and Trevor Heal 7-3. Bauer dropped Feliz into the tie for fifth place 7-4, as Kight took care of Murgia 7-5. Bauer prevailed 7-5 in the quarterfinal match that followed. In the straight-up (no handicap) seminfinals that followed, Ferris found himself embroiled in his second straight double hill battle, but Bauer held on to win.

Albay took a two-rack lead to open the finals. Bauer fought back and forth to get within one, four times and then tied it at 5-5. Albay took command at that point, re-opening the two-rack lead that proved to be the difference in the final score. The undefeated weekend was Albay's first win on the tour since capturing a C-D handicapped event in June of 2008.

Tour director Todd Fleitman thanked sponsors Sterling Gaming, Ozone Billiards and Viking Cues for their continued support of the event, and welcomed Eastside Billiards and its owner, Jerry Shipman to the Tri-State family of venues.