Sambajon’s Train Finally Arrives
After four previous failures, Santos Sambajon, Jr., finally added his name to the list of Filipino imports to win major pro tour titles in the U.S. when he defeated Mike Davis, 7-5, Sunday afternoon in the finale of the World Summit of Pool in New York City.
“This is good for me,” said the 44-year-old Sambajon, whose most recent bridesmaid appearance came at the Billiard Congress of America Open 9-Ball Championships in Las Vegas in May. “This is good for me up here,” he said, pointing to his head. “And here,” he added, tabbing his hand over his heart.
Sambajon went undefeated through the 68-player field in the United States Poolplayers Association (UPA) tournament, staged with substantial fanfare at the city’s landmark Grand Central Station.
Earlier in the day, Sambajon had squeaked past Davis, 7-6, in the winner’s bracket. The final four matches were shortened to races to seven to accommodate taping for future airing on ESPN.
After struggling through the early racks of the finale, Sambajon ran out from the break on his final three attempts in the alternating-break format. With the match tied, 5-5, Davis attempted to slide the 1 ball into the side pocket but missed, a tricky shot that would prove to be his last of the match. Sambajon cleared the table, then ran out from the break to seal the match.
“I think he’s supposed to play safe there,” said Sambajon, who earned $12,000 for the title. “But I’m glad he didn’t.”
Davis earned $6,000 as runner-up. Earl Strickland placed third in the event, followed by Danny Harriman.
Davis Wins Joss
Continuing his recent run for the top, Mike Davis won the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour stop held March 20-21 at Renaissance Billiard Club in Quincy, Ma. Other Davis wins of note in the past season include a third-place finish at an early-March 111-player Planet Pool Tour stop, ad a top-place finish at the Sands Regency Reno Open 9-Ball Championships.
In Quincy, Davis defeated a field of 68, who defeated Robb Saez, 9-6, for the hotseat, before facing Saez again in the the finals. Saez took the first match of the double-elimination set, 9-8, before Davis closed the door on him with a 9-7 second-match win. Davis collected $2,500 for his win, while Saez settled for $1,900.
Check out Billiards Digest’s April issue for an in-depth profile of rising star Mike Davis.
Mike Davis Takes Reno Open
Mike Davis has taken this most recent Reno Open. He took the hotseat with a 9-7 win over Cliff Joyner, securing himself a change to battle feisty Filipino Santos Sambajon for the title Davis took an early lead in the final, but Sambajon fought back and pulled ahead, before a missed combination in the 13th rack turned the tides.
Davis clinched the victory on the hill, 9-8. His win earned him $12,000; Sambajon settled for $6,500.