MANILA – Once again Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo has raised the Philippine Flag when he completed an undefeated run to win the 2009 Tri-State Open event at the Master Billiards in Queens, New York over the weekend.

The 31-year-old Manalo from Mandaluyong City brought down American George “Ginky” Sansouci, 9-6, in the finals to pocket the $730 top prize. He captured the hot seat with a similar 9-6 win over Sansouci.

Sansouci, on the other had a chance to forge a rematch with Manalo in the championships round after beating countryman John Alicea, 9-6, in the last seat match.

Manalo is expected to join the 4th National Pool Championships on November 3-8 in Manila to defend his NPC crown against a top-notch field of veterans and upcoming players. Marlon Bernardino