We're down to the Final Four:
Shane Van Boening, USA
Jayson Shaw, Scotland
Niels Feijen,The Netherlands
Lee Van Corteza of Philippines
Shane is the only contender of the four who's won the U.S. Open 9-Ball title, and he's done it twice, 2007 and 2012. He is the lone American left standing. The first time I ever met Shane, it was right here at the Open in 2003. Keith was slated to play Shane, and Accu-Stats wanted to put it on the TV table. I had never heard of a "Shane Van Boening" before, and he looked so young, all of 20 years old. Well, apparently, Shane had already begun his quest to greatness in the pool world because the on-site bookies had Keith a 2-game dog. This was Shane's first high-profile tournament, and I think he got spooked on the TV table, as Keith won, but I knew by the look in Shane's eyes that week that he was different than the others. He didn't hang out with the others and usually was seen hitting balls by himself, practicing. He sure has come a long way. Shane Van Boening is only 30 and continues to break records. We are witnessing a living legend in the midst of his prime, and it's beautiful.
Jayson Shaw, "Jayson" spelled with a "y," is a new name in the pool world for me, but apparently, he's already developed a following from winning multiple events. Reading the forum this week, somebody wrote that Darren Appleton stated 25-year-old Jayson Shaw will be making headlines in the future, as he's that strong. Coming from Darren, this is high praise. He is the house pro at Steinway in New York and has been roommates with World Champion Earl Strickland for 6 months. Even though not too many people I know have seen Jayson strut his stuff on a field of tournament blue, Str8t Shots recently recognized his capabilities and awarded him with a sponsorship, just before this 2013 Open. It looks to me like they made a good call. From Scotland, he's currently ranked 17th on the 2013 AzBilliards Moneyleader, pocketing $35,605 so far this year. He has shot his opponents down, full of holes like Swiss cheese, and today he plays Shane for the hotseat.
Niels "The Terminator" Feijen is no stranger when it comes to rising to the top of the tournament charts. From The Netherlands, he's a veteran globetrotter, competing in numerous high-profile competitions around the world. His first American tournament was right here at the Open in 2003. I remember rubber-necking this tall, blond, blue-eyed, handsome specimen of a man walking up to the Chesapeake Conference Center. In 2004, I watched Niels Feijen win the Skins Billiard Championship in Atlantic City. I have seen him with his lovely girlfriend Katrina, who is now his wife, accompany him to several tournaments since that time. Oh, and Katrina can play some too. You can't help but admire these two, watching their relationship blossom into marriage and now are blessed with a family of little ones. Though The Terminator can be your worst nightmare if he's your opponent, he is actually gentle as a lamb in real life. Never complains, never sharks, he is the epitome of good sportsmanship. At 35 years old, this would be a sweet win for Niels Feijen. Niels is on the B side of the charts, so his next match will be his last shot at the title.
When you first see that broad smile of Lee Van Corteza, it's hard to believe the 34-year-old Filipino is in fact a seasoned competitor, playing pool for 20 years. 2013 has been a very good year to Van-Van, as he is fondly called, snatching several titles, the China Open 9-Ball Men's Division, the Southern Classic 9-Ball Division, and the World Cup of Pool with his partner Dennis Orcullo. There is no other country in the world that enjoys pool as much as those who live in The Philippines. Pool aficionados recognize the strength of our Filipino brethren of players. Alex Pagulayan was the last Filipino to win the Open in 2005, though the Filipino players always rise to the top of the charts. If Van-Van succeeds today, he will win more than just the title. His pride will soar to new heights, as will the adoration of his already-existing fan base. And to think, he almost didn't make the semifinals, forgetting to score his game by pushing the bead in his match with Imrad Majid yesterday, which went hill-hill. What a nail-biter! I'm sure Van-Van will never forget to push that bead again.
So there you have it, the Final Four of the 2013 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. Who are you rooting for? I'm having trouble with this one. I want all four of them to win, but there can only be one. Who do you think it will be? Play starts at 1 p.m., Eastern Time, with Shane and Jayson battling it out for the hotseat. You can watch it live ---> HERE
By the end of today, we will know the winner of the 38th Annual U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. :smile:
Shane Van Boening, USA
Jayson Shaw, Scotland
Niels Feijen,The Netherlands
Lee Van Corteza of Philippines
Shane is the only contender of the four who's won the U.S. Open 9-Ball title, and he's done it twice, 2007 and 2012. He is the lone American left standing. The first time I ever met Shane, it was right here at the Open in 2003. Keith was slated to play Shane, and Accu-Stats wanted to put it on the TV table. I had never heard of a "Shane Van Boening" before, and he looked so young, all of 20 years old. Well, apparently, Shane had already begun his quest to greatness in the pool world because the on-site bookies had Keith a 2-game dog. This was Shane's first high-profile tournament, and I think he got spooked on the TV table, as Keith won, but I knew by the look in Shane's eyes that week that he was different than the others. He didn't hang out with the others and usually was seen hitting balls by himself, practicing. He sure has come a long way. Shane Van Boening is only 30 and continues to break records. We are witnessing a living legend in the midst of his prime, and it's beautiful.
Jayson Shaw, "Jayson" spelled with a "y," is a new name in the pool world for me, but apparently, he's already developed a following from winning multiple events. Reading the forum this week, somebody wrote that Darren Appleton stated 25-year-old Jayson Shaw will be making headlines in the future, as he's that strong. Coming from Darren, this is high praise. He is the house pro at Steinway in New York and has been roommates with World Champion Earl Strickland for 6 months. Even though not too many people I know have seen Jayson strut his stuff on a field of tournament blue, Str8t Shots recently recognized his capabilities and awarded him with a sponsorship, just before this 2013 Open. It looks to me like they made a good call. From Scotland, he's currently ranked 17th on the 2013 AzBilliards Moneyleader, pocketing $35,605 so far this year. He has shot his opponents down, full of holes like Swiss cheese, and today he plays Shane for the hotseat.
Niels "The Terminator" Feijen is no stranger when it comes to rising to the top of the tournament charts. From The Netherlands, he's a veteran globetrotter, competing in numerous high-profile competitions around the world. His first American tournament was right here at the Open in 2003. I remember rubber-necking this tall, blond, blue-eyed, handsome specimen of a man walking up to the Chesapeake Conference Center. In 2004, I watched Niels Feijen win the Skins Billiard Championship in Atlantic City. I have seen him with his lovely girlfriend Katrina, who is now his wife, accompany him to several tournaments since that time. Oh, and Katrina can play some too. You can't help but admire these two, watching their relationship blossom into marriage and now are blessed with a family of little ones. Though The Terminator can be your worst nightmare if he's your opponent, he is actually gentle as a lamb in real life. Never complains, never sharks, he is the epitome of good sportsmanship. At 35 years old, this would be a sweet win for Niels Feijen. Niels is on the B side of the charts, so his next match will be his last shot at the title.
When you first see that broad smile of Lee Van Corteza, it's hard to believe the 34-year-old Filipino is in fact a seasoned competitor, playing pool for 20 years. 2013 has been a very good year to Van-Van, as he is fondly called, snatching several titles, the China Open 9-Ball Men's Division, the Southern Classic 9-Ball Division, and the World Cup of Pool with his partner Dennis Orcullo. There is no other country in the world that enjoys pool as much as those who live in The Philippines. Pool aficionados recognize the strength of our Filipino brethren of players. Alex Pagulayan was the last Filipino to win the Open in 2005, though the Filipino players always rise to the top of the charts. If Van-Van succeeds today, he will win more than just the title. His pride will soar to new heights, as will the adoration of his already-existing fan base. And to think, he almost didn't make the semifinals, forgetting to score his game by pushing the bead in his match with Imrad Majid yesterday, which went hill-hill. What a nail-biter! I'm sure Van-Van will never forget to push that bead again.
So there you have it, the Final Four of the 2013 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. Who are you rooting for? I'm having trouble with this one. I want all four of them to win, but there can only be one. Who do you think it will be? Play starts at 1 p.m., Eastern Time, with Shane and Jayson battling it out for the hotseat. You can watch it live ---> HERE
By the end of today, we will know the winner of the 38th Annual U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. :smile:
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