LIMA - The 49-year-old Ramon Rodriguez is still the number one in three cushion in Peru. The likeable South American, also known for his musical qualities, won the championship in his country thanks to a victory in the final match against Jose Torreblanca , whom he defeated in the shoot-outs (2-1) after a draw, 40-40 in 32 innings in the regular match. The tournament was launched with 32 players, was organized by the Federacion Nacional de Billar and played at the Istituto del Peruana Deporte. The title was the thirteenth for Ramón in his career.
The two finalists will head the Peruvian delegation at the Pan-American championships, held in Lima in September. Ramón Rodriguez and Jose Torreblanca will also represent their country, like this year, at the World championship for national teams in Viersen. The other players who qualified for the Pan-Americans are Guido Saco, Miguel Ormea, Ronald Saavedra, Jorge Salazar, Manuel Calderon and Pedro Valdivia.
Ramón Rodriguez triumphed in the quarterfinals against Pedro Valdivia 40-24 in 27 innings and defeated one of the other big contenders, Guido Saco, in the semifinals 40-37 in 27. Jose Torreblanca entered the final after he beat Manuel Caldeeron in the quarterfinals (40-37 in 34) and Miguel Ormea in the semis (40-33 in 37). The highest run of nine came to the name of three players: Pedro Valdivia, Martin Canola and Julio Martinez.
The tournament was visited by a huge numbers of spectators and known players, including the former Peruvian top player Sixto Jauregui, Mario Rios Espinoza, the club's president and the Spanish player Raul Hernandez. The organization, headed by President Carlos Izquierdo of the Peruvian federation, was excellent.
The final ranking (average and highest run):
1 Ramón Rodriguez 1.395-8
2 Jose Torreblanca 1.017-8
3 Guido Saco 1.195-7
4 Miguel Ormea 0.847-6
5 Jose Salazar 1.004-6
6 Ronaldo Saavedra 0.756-6
7 Pedro Valdivia 0.926-9
8 Manuel Calderon 0.844-5
9 Javier Serrano 0.888-6
10 Martin Canola 1.053-9
11 Julio Martinez 0.694-9
12 Victor Tenorio 0.762-7.
Ramón Rodriguez on the final day of the championship in Lima