MERVIN Sahagun is the month of May’s 8-ball champion at the New Bamboo Bar of Saipan Vegas.
He clinched the title on Sunday, May 30.
Sahagun built momentum early by earning two victories in a row. He first went up against Senen Pangilinan who could not equal Sahagun’s precision and consistency.
His next opponent was Roman Rodriguez who ended up in the losers bracket.
However, in round 3, Sahagun’s run was cut short in his match against Jerry Soriano, last month’s champion. Both players battled as equals but at the end of the exchange, Soriano proved to be the better player, sending Sahagun into the pit.
But Sahagun’s loss only empowered him as he blew through the bottom bracket quickly by eliminating Rowel Mariano, Nolan Cultura and Roel Baretto.
Sahagun then faced Soriano again, this time in the finals.
Soriano had breezed through the preliminaries unscathed but in the final round, Sahagun was the more determined player.
He handed Soriano his very first loss of the night which meant that another match between them would decide the May championship.
Both players gave it their all in their rubber match, but Sahagun was more accurate in offense and defense allowing him to finish off Soriano and win the title.
Sahagun went home with the first place trophy along with a $500 cash prize.
Soriano, in second place, received a trophy and $250 cash while Roel Baretto and Nolan Cultura finished third ($100 cash prize) and fourth ($50 cash prize).
Mervin Sahagun, second left, Jerry Soriano, left, Roel Baretto, third left, and Nolan Cultura pose with their trophies at the conclusion of the New Bamboo 8-Ball Tournament for May at the New Bamboo Bar of Saipan Vegas.
