Lee Van Corteza, born March 1, 1979, in Davao City, Philippines, is a renowned Filipino professional pool player. Known for his exceptional skill in 9-ball and 10-ball disciplines, Corteza has gained worldwide recognition with numerous championship titles and a reputation for his consistent performance in the competitive pool.
Here we have Lee Van Corteza’s net worth, earnings, career, achievements, and more.
Lee Van Corteza’s Biography
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lee Vann Corteza |
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1979 |
| Birthplace | Davao City, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Sport | Pool (9-ball, 10-ball) |
| Professional Debut | Early 2000s |
Lee Van Corteza began his career in the competitive pool circuit at a young age, rapidly making a name for himself in local tournaments in the Philippines.
With a natural talent for 9-ball and 10-ball formats, he quickly rose to prominence, capturing the attention of the international pool community.
Today, he is celebrated as one of the Philippines’ elite players, continuing to participate and win in tournaments around the world.
Career
Lee Van Corteza has a notable career marked by significant achievements. He has won four gold medals and one silver at the Southeast Asian Games, showcasing his talent and dominance in regional competitions.
In 2004, he claimed victory at the WPA Asian Nine-ball Tour tournament held in the Philippines, narrowly defeating fellow Filipino player Francisco “Django” Bustamante 13–11 in an intense final.
On March 31, 2007, Corteza emerged as the Philippine National Champion, securing a 13–11 win over Marlon Manalo. Later, in 2009, he reached the finals of the WPA World Ten-ball Championship, finishing as runner-up.
In 2010, he won the U.S. Open Ten-ball Championship in Las Vegas, overcoming Lo Li-Wen of China 13–12 in the final, a notable comeback after Lo had initially sent Corteza to the one-loss side.
Corteza also defeated Shane Van Boening 9–8 to advance to the championship match, ultimately claiming the title and a prize of $20,000.
In 2013, Corteza partnered with Dennis Orcollo to win the World Cup of Pool, defeating the Dutch team of Niels Feijen and Nick van den Berg 10–8 in London, England. They became the third Filipino pair to win the title, following the successes of Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco Bustamante in 2006 and 2009.
In 2017, Corteza defeated Germany’s Thorsten Hohmann with a score of 300–183 to capture the Dragon 14.1 Tournament title. His winning momentum continued at the Derby City Classic in 2020, where he outplayed Germany’s Joshua Filler 11–4 to win the Nine-ball event held in Elizabeth, Indiana, taking home $16,000.
He also made it to the final of the Bigfoot Ten-ball event the same year but fell to Jayson Shaw of Great Britain 11–5.
In 2024, Corteza won the Predator Pro Billiards Series Las Vegas Ten-ball Open, besting compatriot Carlo Biado in two close sets (4–2 and 4–3) in the all-Filipino final at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
He secured $30,000 in prize money, while Biado took home $14,000 for his runner-up performance.
Records and Achievements
- World Pool Masters: Semifinalist and quarterfinalist appearances
- Asian Games: Team gold medal in 2006
- US Open One Pocket Championship: Winner
- Derby City Classic: Strong showings in multiple years
- Japan Open: Consistently high placements
Lee Van Corteza’s Net Worth Details
Lee Van Corteza’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million as of 2025.
Prize Money
| Year | Prize Money Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $150,000 |
| 2020 | $180,000 |
| 2021 | $120,000 |
| 2022 | $160,000 |
| 2023 | $175,000 |
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $1.0 million |
| 2021 | $1.2 million |
| 2022 | $1.3 million |
| 2023 | $1.4 million |
| 2024 | $1.5 million |
Endorsements
Lee Van Corteza has worked with multiple well-known brands in the billiards industry, including Predator Cues and Kamui Tips.
These partnerships provide him with high-quality equipment, aiding in his top-level performance and helping him reach his competitive potential on an international scale.
FAQs
1. Who is Lee Van Corteza?
Lee Van Corteza is a Filipino professional pool player born on March 1, 1979, in Davao City, Philippines. He is nicknamed “The Slayer” and has been playing pool professionally since the early 2000s.
2. What are Lee Van Corteza’s major achievements in pool?
Lee Van Corteza has won multiple international tournaments, including the 2013 China Open Nine-ball Championship, the 2013 World Cup of Pool (with Dennis Orcollo), and the 2024 Predator Pro Billiards Series Las Vegas Ten-ball Open.
3. What is Lee Van Corteza’s playing style?
Lee Van Corteza is known for his precise and strategic approach to the game. He is often described as a “surgeon” on the table, dissecting his way through balls with clever shots and safety plays.
4. What is Lee Van Corteza’s estimated net worth?
Lee Van Corteza’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million, accumulated from tournament winnings, endorsements, and sponsorships.
5. Where does Lee Van Corteza currently reside?
Lee Van Corteza currently resides in Astoria, New York, although he maintains a house in his hometown of Davao City, Philippines.
6. What cue brand does Lee Van Corteza endorse?
Lee Van Corteza endorses Predator Cues, a well-known brand in the billiards industry.
7. Has Lee Van Corteza represented the Philippines in international competitions?
Yes, Lee Van Corteza has represented the Philippines in various international competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games, where he has won multiple gold medals.
8. What was Lee Van Corteza’s most recent major tournament victory?
Lee Van Corteza’s most recent major tournament victory was the 40th Turning Stone Classic in January 2025, where he defeated Germany’s Moritz Neuhausen 13-10 in the final.
9. How many Southeast Asian Games medals has Lee Van Corteza won?
Lee Van Corteza has won four gold medals and one silver medal at the Southeast Asian Games throughout his career.
10. What is Lee Van Corteza’s nickname?
Lee Van Corteza is nicknamed “The Slayer” in the professional pool circuit.
