Dubai: Elmer Haya of the Philippines put on a sterling show to stun compatriot and pre-tournament favourite Raymond Faraon 11-2 and capture the Ezone Billiard Festival 9-ball pool final.
The tournament, forming a part of the ongoing celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the UAE's national independence, featured 32 qualifiers from ten countries and offered Dh60,000 in total prize monies. Players from Algeria, Hungary, Iraq, Kuwait, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates took part in the final stage of the event.
Haya had been in great form since the start of the tournament but suffered a setback in the first semi-final when he was beaten by Faraon 11-9. However, with the tournament contested using a double elimination format, Haya was given a second life and he made the best possible use of it.
He survived a comeback from his Algerian opponent to win his second semi-final 11-9, which set up a rematch with Faraon in the final.
