Mika Immonen kisses his trophy after beating Lee Van Corteza in the finals, 11-6 to win the World Ten Ball championship Monday night at the World Trade Center. (Photo by RICHARD VIÑAS)

Sharp and cool at every turn, Mika ‘The Iceman’ Immonen encountered little trouble in dispatching Filipino Lee Van Corteza, 11-6, to crown himself the 2009 World Ten Ball King Monday night at the World Trade Center.

Save for some anxious moments in the early goings, Immonen was in full control, taking a commanding 8-5 lead on the way to becoming the second European player to win the 10-Ball title after English Darren Appleton who did it last year.

“Last year was a great, but this year was insane,” said Immonen, who is the hottest player in the pool circuit right now having won the US Open twice-in-a-row and the Galveston Classic.

“This is the mecca of pool in the world. It’s an honor to win here,” added Immonen, holding his trophy.

With the victory, Immonen, went home $60,000 richer while becoming one of the few players to hold the distinction of being a double world champion. He also won the 9-ball world crown.

One of the most feared money player in the world, Corteza actually took an early 3-2 lead but failed to sustain the big start after falling into a maze of errors, allowing the Finish to take a 5-3 lead at the turn.

Corteza managed to move within 6-5 but a decision to push a difficult No. 1 after a successful break proved to be the beginning of his end.

Getting back to the table, Immonen sank that No. 1 via a long jump shot before making a 2-10 combo for a 7-5 lead.

Immonen, who trounced Antonio Lining, 9-7, in the semifinals, took the next rack before Corteza, who beat Spanish David Alcaide, 9-7, in the semifinals, moved within 6-8.

That, however, proved to be the Filipino’s last hurrah as Immonen took the last three racks via run out to win his fourth title here in the Philippines.

“I’m overwhelmed (with the win),” said Immonen, who owns a 20-table billiards hall in Makati.

Corteza bagged $30,000 (roughly P1.4 million), big enough for just six days of work and fun.

But more important, he was gracious in defeat.

“I’ve got to give it to him, I made poor preparations,” Corteza said.

The loss ruined Corteza’s bid to become only the fifth Filipino to win a world title after Efren “Bata” Reyes (9-ball, 1999), Alex Pagulayan (9-ball, 2004), Alcano (9-ball, 8-ball 2006-07), and Rubilen Amit (10-ball, 2009).