WEI WEI GOES BACK TO BACK AT THE WPBA SOARING EAGLE MASTERS
For the second straight year during June in Mt. Pleasant MI, Wei Tzu Chien has won the WPBA Soaring Eagle Masters, going undefeated through the $40,000 added event.
The WPBA and women’s pool in general continues to grow with more and more events. The Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant MI has held its estimated 20th event producing another strong field.
63 women participated (one late withdrawal) in a double elimination race to 8 format down to a one set final race to 10. As action began noon on Saturday, we were down to the final 24 players all in the money. I would like to recognize two of them for their accomplishments. Dona Sellman finished 17-24 for $1000 and her first time cashing. I know how happy she is, congrats! Also a lady who made the best of her promoter spot was Molly Bontrager finishing 13-16 and taking home $1500.
Finishing 9-12 early Saturday evening were Jordan Helfery, Bean Hung, Savanah Easton and Kelly Fisher with a tough hill-hill loss. That brought us to primetime with the final 8, two winners round matches and two one-side matches. On the one loss side, both Margarita Fefilova Styer and Kristina Tkach were in fourth gear and the left Brittany Bryant and Briana Miller in 7/8 place and $2500. At the same time the 2 winners side matches were going on with Kristina Zlateva and Wei Tzu Chien advancing to Sunday’s hill match.
That left the 5/6 place matches with Margarita versus Sofia Mast and Pia Filler versus KT. Both exciting matches going hill/hill with Margarita and Pia advancing to the final four. Sofia and Kristina took home $3500.
Sunday concluded the four day tournament starting out at noon with Margaret besting Pia and advancing to the semifinals. Pia cashed out at $4500. The hill match went to Wei Wei over Kristina Zlateva advancing her to the final. In the semi final it Margarita took command and moved on to face Wei Wei. KZ took third and another top finish with a $6200 payday.
The finals began with Styer quickly out in front 3-1 and then 5-2 forcing Wei to take a break. Wei fought back to bring it to 5-5. Then slowly took control to bring it to 9-5. Margarita fought back to make it 9-7 only to have the cue ball bumped in the side pocket by the 6. Wei with ball in hand, then ran out for the win! Margarita won $8500 and Wei got the big check, $15,000.
Next for the WPBA will be the Oneida WPA Women’s 8-Ball World Championship in Green Bay WI July 21-26. Tickets will be going on sale soon through Eventbrite.
