It was a good run at the Mappa 9-Ball Summit at the AMF-Puyat Superbowl and Billiards Center in Makati City. Lots of action everywhere and a very strong field in all classifications. 
I knew I was in for a challenge when I learned that I was squaring off against one of the all-time greats of my Mother Club - Mr. Nelson Salvanera. For friends not in the know, Nelson has a very good knowledge of the game and is a consistent finalist in Mappa's Class O division.
On a personal note, Nelson is one of the most-loved members of MAPPA. He is known for his unwavering support to the organization and its players. He also has a good heart. He has always been very nice and very kind to me.
I still remember the words he said to me on the day I returned to the sport – during the Finals night of the 2017 J&P Cup: “Leslie, this is your house. You should be here; you should always be here.” And I replied, “No, Dad, this is not my house. This is OUR home.”
.
As we shook hands before the start of the match on Table 17, he quipped, "I thought we would be meeting in the Finals!"
I answered, "Same here, Dad! Let's play like we’re in the Finals then!" And we both laughed.
.
Nelson’s excellent pocketing skills and very good control of the white were evident during the game despite coming off from a serious health concern. Given a good spread, he could still ran 4-5 balls easy. He even almost did a break-and-run, too!
And safety battles were one of the orders of the day on both sides. I vividly remember the play I did on the 3-ball. I honestly thought that I had him for his 3rd consecutive foul. I snookered the white at the opposite end of the table. The paths to the long rails he needed to use to make a good shot on the 3-ball were both blocked by clusters.
I saw Nelson going behind a post near the table. After a few seconds, he emerged with something in his hand – a jump cue! He was smiling at me. And I remarked, “Hey! I didn’t know you had that, Dad!“ And he gave out a very good laugh – his very distinctive laugh.
.
He then positioned and readied himself for the shot. Took aim and practice shots. And wow! Not only was Nelson able to perform the jump cleanly and hit the 3-ball, he even pocketed it in the corner pocket and got good position on the next ball! It was a perfect jump! And he made it look effortless!
I exclaimed, “No fair, Dad! When did you learn how to jump? That wasn’t in your arsenal the last time I saw you! (six to seven years ago).
And we both gave each other another round of good laughs. (One of two during play as we were really serious during the entire set; only talking to each other after the end of each rack. Both of us really wanted to win. And we played to win.)
.
I was first on the hill in the race-to-6 match, before Nelson won a rack to tie the score. SIONDECI! An exciting hill-hill ending to a very exciting match! It was really like playing in the Finals as there was a small crowd that gathered and watched.
He scratched after pocketing the 3-ball. There were only five balls left on the table (4, 5, 6, 7, and 9). I had two options: 4-7 combi or run it out. Pak! Pak! Pak! Nelson soon had himself back on the table.
He was then shooting for the last shot of the last rack of the match. After asking for and receiving the mechanical bridge from Mr. Ching, I approached him, put my right arm on the bridge, then placed it around his shoulder, and said, “You win, Dad. You win.”
Nelson looked at me straight in the eye and in a soft voice said thank you - twice. He then put his left arm on my shoulder, gave me a hug, and asked me a couple of questions. I whispered the answers back to him.
.
My match with Nelson, one of Mappa's all-time greats, is easily one of the most exciting and most memorable I've played.
The match was both ours. But that last rack was Nelson’s. And the win!
Daddy Nelson, thank you very much for giving me your best. I gave you mine. I wish you the best, the very best, on your run for the championship! I am rooting for you! We all are!
️
.
X’S:
Remember the last anecdote I wrote on the first day of the tour? It came full circle after my match.
Yes, you guessed it right. Daddy Nelson took care of the bill. And I kid you not!
See you later at the Finals, mga ka-MAPPA! FB Live tonight.
.
Jason Fantilanan
I knew I was in for a challenge when I learned that I was squaring off against one of the all-time greats of my Mother Club - Mr. Nelson Salvanera. For friends not in the know, Nelson has a very good knowledge of the game and is a consistent finalist in Mappa's Class O division.
On a personal note, Nelson is one of the most-loved members of MAPPA. He is known for his unwavering support to the organization and its players. He also has a good heart. He has always been very nice and very kind to me.
I still remember the words he said to me on the day I returned to the sport – during the Finals night of the 2017 J&P Cup: “Leslie, this is your house. You should be here; you should always be here.” And I replied, “No, Dad, this is not my house. This is OUR home.”
.
As we shook hands before the start of the match on Table 17, he quipped, "I thought we would be meeting in the Finals!"
I answered, "Same here, Dad! Let's play like we’re in the Finals then!" And we both laughed.
.
Nelson’s excellent pocketing skills and very good control of the white were evident during the game despite coming off from a serious health concern. Given a good spread, he could still ran 4-5 balls easy. He even almost did a break-and-run, too!
And safety battles were one of the orders of the day on both sides. I vividly remember the play I did on the 3-ball. I honestly thought that I had him for his 3rd consecutive foul. I snookered the white at the opposite end of the table. The paths to the long rails he needed to use to make a good shot on the 3-ball were both blocked by clusters.
I saw Nelson going behind a post near the table. After a few seconds, he emerged with something in his hand – a jump cue! He was smiling at me. And I remarked, “Hey! I didn’t know you had that, Dad!“ And he gave out a very good laugh – his very distinctive laugh.
.
He then positioned and readied himself for the shot. Took aim and practice shots. And wow! Not only was Nelson able to perform the jump cleanly and hit the 3-ball, he even pocketed it in the corner pocket and got good position on the next ball! It was a perfect jump! And he made it look effortless!
I exclaimed, “No fair, Dad! When did you learn how to jump? That wasn’t in your arsenal the last time I saw you! (six to seven years ago).
And we both gave each other another round of good laughs. (One of two during play as we were really serious during the entire set; only talking to each other after the end of each rack. Both of us really wanted to win. And we played to win.)
.
I was first on the hill in the race-to-6 match, before Nelson won a rack to tie the score. SIONDECI! An exciting hill-hill ending to a very exciting match! It was really like playing in the Finals as there was a small crowd that gathered and watched.
He scratched after pocketing the 3-ball. There were only five balls left on the table (4, 5, 6, 7, and 9). I had two options: 4-7 combi or run it out. Pak! Pak! Pak! Nelson soon had himself back on the table.
He was then shooting for the last shot of the last rack of the match. After asking for and receiving the mechanical bridge from Mr. Ching, I approached him, put my right arm on the bridge, then placed it around his shoulder, and said, “You win, Dad. You win.”
Nelson looked at me straight in the eye and in a soft voice said thank you - twice. He then put his left arm on my shoulder, gave me a hug, and asked me a couple of questions. I whispered the answers back to him.
.
My match with Nelson, one of Mappa's all-time greats, is easily one of the most exciting and most memorable I've played.
The match was both ours. But that last rack was Nelson’s. And the win!
Daddy Nelson, thank you very much for giving me your best. I gave you mine. I wish you the best, the very best, on your run for the championship! I am rooting for you! We all are!
️.
X’S:
Remember the last anecdote I wrote on the first day of the tour? It came full circle after my match.
Yes, you guessed it right. Daddy Nelson took care of the bill. And I kid you not!
See you later at the Finals, mga ka-MAPPA! FB Live tonight.
.
Jason Fantilanan
2: