Lee Van Corteza Wins Thrilling Final at 2nd Annual Rally in the Valley

The 2nd Annual Rally in the Shenandoah Valley brought world-class pool back to the heart of Front Royal last weekend, as 64 players from across the globe battled for victory in a World Nineball Tour (WNT) event hosted by On Cue Sports Bar & Grill. The event, title-sponsored by Andy Cloth, packed the house from Thursday, July 31, through Saturday, August 2, and ended with a championship match that left the crowd on its feet.

Left to right: Chris Wilburn, Tournament Director; Bellarina Shander, Assistant Director; Lee Van Corteza, Champion; Cole Haase, Owner of On Cue; Madison Ortiz, PR. Photo courtesy of On Cue.

The high-stakes showdown featured veteran cue artist Lee Van Corteza of the Philippines and rising star Yannick Pongers of the Netherlands. In a race to 15, it all came down to a final, tension-filled rack — a “hill-hill” match with both players tied at 14. Corteza had trailed 13-6 earlier in the match, but stormed back with a series of precise shots and clutch play to win 15-14 in front of a roaring, standing-room-only crowd.

“This was one of the best comebacks we’ve seen on tour in a long time,” said WNT commentator George Hammerbacher, who covered the match live on WNT TV. “Corteza didn’t just win — he showed why he’s one of the most feared players in the game.”

With the win, Corteza claimed the $10,000 top prize. Pongers, who played brilliantly throughout the tournament, took home $5,000 for his second-place finish.

The event kicked off Thursday with double-elimination play, narrowing the field from 64 down to 16 by Friday night. The final 16 players — a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging talent — competed in single-elimination matches beginning Saturday, August 2. Fans both in-person and online witnessed world-class matchups, all streamed via DigitalPool.net/oncue and WNTTV.com.

Strong Local Showing

Among the final 16 were two standouts from the region: Nathan Childress of Midlothian, VA, who finished in an impressive third place, and Brandon Shuff of Frederick, MD, who placed 16th after a tough matchup in the opening round of the knockout stage.

Childress’s run included several high-pressure wins and earned praise from tournament director Chris Wilburn.

“Nathan showed incredible poise,” Wilburn said. “To finish third in a field this strong says a lot about where his game is right now.”

The final 16 also featured top players from across the globe, including Felix Vogel (Germany), John Morra (Canada), Sullivan Clark (New Zealand), and Tyler Styer (USA), adding international flair to the already electric tournament atmosphere.

A Growing Tradition

Now in its second year, the Rally in the Valley is quickly becoming a highlight on the WNT calendar. The event was not only packed with top-tier play but also made possible through the efforts of a dedicated staff and a long list of sponsors. Behind the scenes, Tournament Director Chris Wilburn led a team including Assistant Director Bellarina Shander, Promoter Madison Ortiz, and Production Director Frank Maialetti, who also provided expert commentary throughout the tournament.

Streaming Manager Zach Goldsmith ensured fans around the world could tune in to every shot, while Joey Lumsden served as Head Referee for the entire event.

On Cue Sports Bar & Grill, located at 206 E. Main Street, provided a lively venue that gave fans an up-close look at some of the best talent in the game. With support from Andy Billiard Cloth, Digital Pool, Billiard Sports Network, and other local businesses, the event blended small-town hospitality with the intensity of world-class competition.

Organizers say they’re already looking forward to next year.

“Front Royal is now firmly on the map in the pool world,” Ortiz said. “And this is just the beginning.”

Rally in the Shenandoah Valley: International Pool Tournament Comes to Front Royal