MENDOZA – Billiards in Argentina showed a great event with South American top guns again after a ten years stop. The old Club El Establo in the city of Mendoza was renovated and a Pan American Grand Prix tournament was organized to mark the restart. Daniel Morales, the Colombian champion, defeated Alexander Salazar in the final 40-32 in 21. Morales was mainly strong in the early stages of the final game: 27-11 in 10 innings. Salazar gradually came back with two runs of six (30-31), but in the last part Morales struck with a run of eight (39-32) and finished in the 21st inning.
In the semi-finals, young Colombian Jose Juan Garcia was eliminated by Salazar 40-27 in 34, while Chilean champion Marco Sobarzo was beaten by Daniel Morales 40-36 in 34.
The clash of South American nations was also exciting in the quarter-finals. Arley Castrillon played a draw against JJ Garcia ,40-40 in 32, but could not win the shoot-out. Ramon Rodriguez finished with six, but still went out against the Colombian champion Morales: 40-39 in 36. The other two wins came from Salazar with 40-34 against Cristian Sanchez of Colombia and Chilean Sobarzo took 54 innings to eliminate Angel Pascual of Mexico.
Pedro Gonzalez was eliminated in the last 16 by JJ with 40-23 in 29.
Final standings and prize money in dollars:
1 Daniel Morales (Colombia), 1,276, 5,000. dollars
2 Alexander Salazar (Col), 1,260, $2,500
3 José Juan García (Col), 1,150, $1,500
4 Marco Sobarzo (Chile), 0,873, $1,500
5 Ramon Rodriguez (Peru), 1,120, $500
6 Arley Castrillon (Col), 1,105, $500
7 Cristian Sanchez (Col), $1,048, $500
8. Ángel Pascual (Mexico), $1,000, $500
9 Juan Sisterna (Argentina), 0.856, $100
10 Alejandro Riffo (Chile), 0.707, $100
11 Rodrigo Zuluaga (Chile), 0.607, $100
12 Pedro González (Col), 0.913, $100
Highest run Daniel Morales, 16, $250.
The winner Daniel Morales after a final with Alexander Salazar