The Ozone Billiards Predator Tour rolled through Raxx Pool Room in West Hempstead, NY for its 2010 Season Finale. The $3,000-added event attracted 94 players to participate in the two-day event that took place on the weekend of December 11-12, 2010.
It was really exciting to see so many players looking to make a statement at the Tour's final event of the year.
Standout players who competed in the A/B/C/D 9-ball event included Mike Panzarella, Stewart Wanock, Phil Davis, Derek Schwager John Alicea, and Tim Cahill. This event also attracted some of the area's top aspiring pro ladies including Gail Glazebrook, Erin McManus, Diana Rojas, Borana Andoni, Yomaylin Feliz and Neslihan Gurel.
Tony Robles gave out the Player of the Year awards right before the start of the tournament. Many thanks to Predator Cues for awarding the 1st Place winners with a brand new BK2 Break Cue along with a beautiful 1x1 Blak series case and to Jim Murnak Cue Cases who donated 3 cases for the A,B & C Player of the Year. Special thanks to Ron Shapiro of Crown Trophy in New Hyde Park (516-775-5755) for providing the gorgeous awards for the tour.
The player of the year awards went to:
Sportsman of the Year Award: Luis Novas
Pro Player of the Year: Tony Robles, Runner-Up: George Sansouci
Open Player of the Year: Oscar Bonilla, Runner-Up: Kevin Guimond
A Class Player of the Year: Stewart Warnock, Runner-Up: John Alicea
B Class Player of the Year: Scott Simonetti, Runner-Up: Daniel Dagotdot
C Class Player of the Year: Matthew Harricharan, Runner-Up: Alberto Estevez
Female Player of the Year: Borana Andoni, Runner-Up: Diana Rojas
In the final event, consistent grinder Stewart Warnock went through the winner's side undefeated, with wins over Steven Wright 7-3, Phil Davis 7-5, Tim Cahill 7-3, Brian Hunter 7-5, Derek Schwager 7-6, Barry Banks 7-4, and Tony Conzensa 7-5.
Tony Conzensa who is a veteran of the game had taken a lot of time off and mentioned that he has been re-inspired to play again. Tony used to be a regular in the weekly tournament scene in the Tri-State area before hanging up his cue.
It seems that Tony knocked enough rust off of his cue to make a statement in this event. Tony went through the winner's side in impressive fashion. Tony defeated Mike Davie 7-2, Andrew Kane, 7-3, Henry Lau 7-3, Michael Hertz 7-6 & Troy Deocharran 7-6 before losing to Stewart Warnock 7-5 in the hot seat match. Tony bounced back with a clutch 7-5 win over Tim Cahill to earn a rematch against Stewart in the finals.
The final was a close contest but in the end, after coming so close all year long, Stewart Warnock saved the best for last by defeating Tony 7-5 to earn his first win on the Predator Tour. It couldn't have happened at a better time now that Stewart is waiting for the birth of his daughter.
Stewart has been one of the most consistent players on the Tour, and continues to display his heart for the game on and off the table.
Final Results:
1. Stewart Warnock $1,400
2. Tony Conzensa $900
3. Tim Cahill $650
4. Harry Lau $500
5/6th. Troy Deocharran, Barry Banks $325
7/8th. Richard Ng, Rob Omen $250
9/12. Derek Schwager, Wilfredo Albay, Ricky Ragoonan, Michael Hertz $175
13/16. Borana Andoni, Mark Pantovic, Brian Hunter, Erin McManus $125
Alongside the amateur event, the Ozone Billiards Predator Tour's Pro/Open Event also drew a gritty field of some of the toughest players in the region.
Legendary straight pool player Earl Herring was impressive with standout wins, defeating Mike Miller 8-4, Bill Dunsmore 8-5 and Tony Robles 8-7 before losing 8-3 to Shaun Wilkie.
Skyline Billiards owner Rob Pole defeated Mike Miller 8-7 before losing to "The Silent Assassin" Tony Robles 8-5. In a feature match, Tony was lined up against regional standout Manny Chau. Tony defeated Manny earlier 8-4 but Manny bounced back with wins over Zion Zvi 8-5, Joey Korsiak 8-3, and Jeremy Sossei 8-4 before the rematch with Tony. Manny controlled the set and beat Tony 8-5 to set up a semifinal match against the great Earl Herring.
Manny was ahead of Earl 4-0 but the cool and confident Earl staged a comeback and fell short losing the match 8-5.
Shaun who won this event last year, was determined to defend his championship and came out swinging against Manny. In the end, Shaun earned the victory by a score of 9-7.
Final Results:
1st: Shaun Wilkie $1,000
2nd: Manny Chau $750
3rd: Earl Herring $500
4th: Tony Robles $325
5th/6th: Jeremy Sossei, Rob Pole $100
Tony Robles & The Predator Tour would like to thank all the players who came out to compete this stop and for participating in the 2010 season. The Predator Tour would also like to thank their sponsors: Predator Cues, Poison Cues, Ozone Billiards, Delta-13, The Seminole Tribe of Florida, The Seminole Pro Tour, PoolontheNet.com, AZBilliards.com, www.Pool.bz, Jim Murnak Cue Cases, Go4Pool.net, NYCGrind.com, Billiards Digest, Inside Pool Magazine, Pool & Billiards Magazine, & Maxim Billiards.
Please check our site www.predator9balltour.com as the schedule for the 2011 Predator Tour Season should be completed in the next couple of weeks.
