Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour Hits Rhode Island

The Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour breezed into Rhode Island this weekend, with surprise winner Tony "Shorty" D'Alfanso defeating Santos Sambajon, Jr., in the finals by the score of 9-3. 

Held in Rhode Island Billiards, established in 1982, the event featured gorgeous Gold Crown tables in this exclusive pool room.  Among the small but strong field, the early tournament favorites were Tony Ruberto, Steve Tavernier, Mike Minichello, and Chris Leal.  This $2,000-added event had a total payout of $4,130, enough to cause some serious playing all around. 

Early action included a match between Richard Kravitz and Tony Ruberto, in which Ruberto was o­n the hill 8-3 and missed a key ball, allowing his opponent to the table.  Kravitz got that rack and then rack the next four to tie 8-all.  However, the tides turned o­n him in the last game, and Ruberto was granted a reprieve, squeaking by with a 9-8 win.

On the road to the finals, D'Alfanso defeated Mike Minichello 9-2, Chris Leal 9-2, Santos Sambajon, Jr. 9-8, Paul Cormier 9-7, and Tony Ruberto 9-5.  Sambajon defeated Mike Keith 9-5, Chuck Hill 9-2, lost to D'Alfanso 9-8, then defeated Chris Connery 9-4, Richard Kravitz 9-5, Chris Leal 9-4, and Tony Ruberto 9-6.  The final match between Sambajon and D'Alfanso was practically a blow-out, with the 21-year-old D'Alfanso coming with some great jump shots and making every bank shot he attempted to win the match 9-3.

1st - Tony D'Alfanso

2nd - Santos Sambajon, Jr.

3rd - Tony Ruberto

4th - Chris Leal

5th/6th - Paul Cormier, Richard Kravitz

7th/8th - Steve Tavernier, Mike Keith

9th/12th - Joe Varigis, Chris Connery, Rick Gatta, David Lamay