Carom
HOUSTON - 42-year old Pedro Piedrabuena has won his seventh American title and never before the victory was so impressive. The owner of a billiard center in San Diego defeated all his opponents, finished 1.892 average and excelled most of all in a game against Mazin Shooni, which he won 40-5 in eight innings (5.000 average).
Hugo Patino finished off second in the championship, which was played in Paris Bida, Houston (Texas) with only one loss against Piedrabuena, twelve match points and 1.401. Sonny Cho completed the podium with ten points and 1.349.
The now sevenfold American champion, born in Montevideo, Urugay, was not in trouble in his seven matches. Sonny Cho recorded the most caroms (40-31), followed by Hugo Patino 29. Piedrabuena's game against Mazin Shooni was a beauty. The scores in that match: 14-0-13-0-2-0-1-10.
In four of his seven matches, Piedrabuena played over two average. Only in his duels with Duc Dao, Mercedes Gonzalez, the only lady in the final stage and Sonny Cho, he needed more than twenty innings to finish.
With his eighth title, Piedrabuena underlined the supremacy in his own kingdom. The American showed up with great ambitions for the World championship in Antwerp last year, but couldn't find the level that the Pan American champion shows in so many tournaments in his own surroundings.
He was eliminated in the group stage by Christian Rudolph (40-30 in 29) and Sung-Won Choi (40-29 in 25).
Merrill Hughes of the USBA (United States Billiard Association) thanked the organization of the national championship, Paris Bida in Houston, for the great hospitality. ,,The USBA recognizes Houston as a growing three cushion community and we look forward to a happy and healthy relationship'', said Hughes.
The final ranking:
1 Pedro Piedrabuena 14-1.892-14
2 Hugo Patino 12-1.401-10
3 Sonny Cho 10-1.349-10
4 Jae Hyung Cho 6-1.242-9
5 Mazin Shooni 6-1.145-11
6 Miguel Torres 6-1.115-11
7 Mercedes Gonzalez 2-0.579-5
8 Duc Dao 0-0.680-6.