FILIPINO billiard masters Jose "Amang" Parica and Santos Sambajon did not show up for the 1st CPPT tournament in San Jose, California, but four other younger Pinoy cue artists dominated most of their matches until they faced each other in the semifinals.
Deo Mark Alpajora of Las Pinas won all his matches from the losers side after Ramon "Maestro Monching" Mistica sent him to the west side of the board with a score of 7-1 to reach the semifinals. Mistica continued his winning streak until he met Jun Almoite of Project 4, Q.C., who sent him to the losers side and set up another match against Alpajora. The younger Alpajora handed Mistica his second loss 7-5.
Jun Almoite, who reach the hot seat by trouncing compatriot Jaynard Orque 7-5, Roger Estelle 7-2, Billy Palmer 7-4, Jeff Gregory 7-6, Amar Kang 7-6, and Ramon Mistica 7-6 before losing to the erthswhile champion, Californian Max Eberle 7-5.
Almoite had to play the well rested Alpajora to determine who will face the unbeaten Eberle in the final match..Almoite ran out of gas and Alpajora prevailed 7-4.
In the final match race to 9, Max Eberle, who played an almost perfect 9-ball game, started strong and led Alpajora 7-1. On the 9th rack, Eberle missed an easy 4-9 combination that gave Deo a chance to win that game followed by another 4 rack and run win to get close to a 7-6 score. A dry break by Alpajora on the 14th rack, gave Eberle the last chance to win the match 9-6 and the $2,000 first prize.
1st. - Max Eberle (California)
2nd - Deo Alpajora (Las Pinas)
3rd - Jun Almoite (Project 4,Q.C.)
4th - Ramon Mistica (Murphy,Q.C.)
5th - Jaynard Orque (Manila)
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