Elmwood Park Village President Angelo “Skip” Saviano didn’t have to introduce himself to the winners of the Mayor’s Cup Bocce Ball Tournament.
Quattro Formaggi (Italian for four cheeses) won the tournament held at this year’s Taste of Elmwood Park. The members of the team were Elmwood Park Police Deputy Chief Andrew Hock, Elmwood Park Trustee Jonathan Zivojnovic, Elmwood Park School Board member Peter Volpe, Saviano’s campaign aide Rocco Biscaglia, Pio Falco and Mike Kersch.
Quattro Formaggi was one of 32 teams that participated in the tournament. Hock said they played hard over the four-day tournament.
“It was a combination of luck and good play,” he said.
He said the team members’ notoriety in the village had nothing to do with he win.
Mike Ciancio, the tournament’s coordinator who also handles the bocce ball leagues and competitions for the village’s recreation department, said he had his doubts about the team initially.
“I didn’t think they were going to win it, but they came out of the losers bracket,” he said. “I don’t think anyone expected them to win.”
But over the course of several days of play, the team gained momentum.
“They went through teams like they were on fire,” he said. “They played nine games over three days and they tore it up.”
On the evening of Aug. 9, the last day of the Taste of Elmwood Park, they faced team Blue Balls for the cup. After over two hours of play, Quattro Formaggi came out on top.
“We were out there until 11 o’clock,” he said. “They won fair and square.”
Hock said members of the teams that participated were cheering for them.
“It took a lot of luck to win and we had a lot of comraderie amongst all of the players,” Hock said.
Twitter: @DavidDPollard
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