I was having a friendly debate with a guy in the pool hall today about when Efren first came to this country. Any of you guys have a definite answer to the question? An answer you would be willing to wager on? Thanks in advance for any help.
nibrobus said:1985 Houston Red's Tournament
Do you mean the one that was won by Cesar Morales?nibrobus said:1985 Houston Red's Tournament
An astute observation, Nostroke!Nostroke said:That certainly is the common belief. I think you may get an offer of a wager though-I dont think Bill would have posted the question had he thought that was the answer. Of course I'm just guessing.
Now that sounds like some very good information to my untutored ears (eyes?). The only question is what year was it when he first came.Only ERO's said:From what I have been told, Efren originally came to Rochester, MN. A good friend of his was here telling everybody about this world class player from the Phillipines that could rob all the Americans. There were two Phillipino brothers (Nate and Efren(sp.) Ramirez) that convinced the owner of Chick's billiards into fronting some money to bring Efren over from the Phillipines.
This is the beginning to the story that I have heard. I could probably look more into it as comments come up. I know about 3-4 people that remember Efren firing the spot shots in without hitting the rail in the basement of Chicks.
The 1985 Red's tournament? I hate to hear he was stiffed for the money, but can't say I'm surprised. Didn't Mike Lebron sort of take him under his wing for a while?Titleist04 said:He found a sponsor in 1979 and made his first trip abroad to Japan, where he won $3,000 hustling and playing in tournaments. Six years later he made his first trip to America. He played in and won the Red 9-Ball Open in Houston, Texas, which netted him a few thousand dollars. Then over the next three weeks, playing big money against all comers, Efren won $81,000. But he never saw his promised 50% share. His financier stole the money.
Got my attention too....Gerry said:I'm as big an Efren fan as anyone, but how do you "fire in" a spot shot, and not hit a rail?.....maybe slow spin one in?......but fire?
Gerry
Gerry said:I'm as big an Efren fan as anyone, but how do you "fire in" a spot shot, and not hit a rail?.....maybe slow spin one in?......but fire?
Gerry
BillPorter said:I was having a friendly debate with a guy in the pool hall today about when Efren first came to this country. Any of you guys have a definite answer to the question? An answer you would be willing to wager on? Thanks in advance for any help.
Yes, most people cite the 1985 Red's tournament as Efren's first trip to the States, but some think he may have made a trip or two before that.Cornerman said:I've always assumed he came to the States before he won the 1985 Reds even.
Fred
That would surely be a good source of information! I'm sure that several people on the board would appreciate an accurate answer to the question.CantEverWin said:A buddy of mine is good friends with Erfren. I'll ask him the next time we speak. Probably within the next few days.
Fred, in the book, "Billiards" by John Grissim, Grissim mentions playing Efren in the Phillipines on a trip he had taken "a few years back." Since the book has a 1979 copyright date, you have to assume that he played Efren no later than 1975 or 1976. At that time, Grissim was told that Efren was the second ranked player in the Phillipines. Maybe Parica was number 1? Anyway, Grissim certainly knew his way around the world of pool and surely passed along this information about super players in Manila to people in this country. It seems plausible that sometime between 1978 and 1984 Efren was brought over here to play a match or two. But maybe not. I just threw the question out to see what might surface.Cornerman said:I've always assumed he came to the States before he won the 1985 Reds even.
Fred