Vevera wins eight-ball challenge

By LARRY ANDREW
AFTER almost a month of competition, Lae’s Aviat Social and Sporting Club-sponsored eight-ball pool challenge ended with the men’s and women’s singles grand finals last Saturday.
In the men’s showdown, Bernard Vevera had to overcome strong challenge from his Lae Auto Clinic teammate Manlee Vali to win 3-1.
The road to the top honours was not easy for Vevera who was the last year’s runner-up to eventual winner Dr Joseph Garap.
The Northern man had to beat one of the competition’s top players, Francis Mortel, winning the best-of-three-frame contest 2-1.
Vali, on the other hand, had to overcome Charlie Noddy to reach the grand final.
In the grand final, Vevera wasted little time as he took control of the best-of-five-frame match with an early lead.
But Vali re-grouped to claim the second frame.
Determined not to let the advantage of an early lead slip, Vevera went on to win the next two frames and seal the grand final.
Vevera told The National that he was thrilled with his first title win.
In the women’s division, in-form Sialum woman Evelyn Bazo edged Nicole Monmai 2-1 to face Linda Wiput, who beat Lisa Clark by the same scoreline in the other semifinal. Bazo went on to shut out Wiput 3-0 and claim the women’s title.
Bazo said she was excited to win the grand final, and was looking forward to more competitions.
Meanwhile, president Karo Gamoga said the next pool competition on his club’s calendar would be a K5,000 Super Fours competition, sponsored by Lae MP John Rosso.