Not so long ago there was an absence of good tournaments for the pros to compete in. Now they have too many and have to pick their spots. I guess you could call that progress.
Too much is definitely better than too little, but I have to wonder if it means more future conflict.
I get the sense WNT and WPA/Predator are moving to try to expand their calendars to get the best dates before the other organization does. Crowd each other out.
The calendar is especially crowded right now. We have:
WPA 10-ball (9/20 - 9/28)
Peri Open ((10/2 - 10/5)
Hanoi Open (10/7 to 10/12)
WPA 8-ball (10/9 - 10/13)
Reyes Cup (10/16 - 10/19)
Philippines Open (10/21 - 10/26)
*Qatar 10-ball World Cup (10/23 - 11/2)
WPM (November?)
International (11/17 - 11/22)
*Qualifying starts 10/23, but main event starts 10/28.
***
It will be very interesting to see who skips Hanoi and the Philippines Open and who goes to Qatar. Filler and SVB for sure.
Filler is going to WPA 8-ball and is shown in the promo for Qatar. I imagine most Predator players will follow suit.
Doesn't look like Filler will play any WNT-affiliated events until perhaps the International, which is also WPA sanctioned. It would seem he's a no-go for the Reyes and Mosconi.
SVB is also doing the WPA circuit. Both the 10-ball and 8-ball events and Qatar. Definitely no Philippines Open and probably no Reyes Cup. Mosconi seems doubtful too unless WNT changes/clarifies its rules.
The promo for Qatar shows Mario He, Kazakis and ... Wiktor Wielinksi.
The first promo of names from WNT for the Philippines Open lists
- Carlo Biado
- Johann Chua
- Francisco Sánchez Ruiz
- Jayson Shaw
- Anton Raga
- David Alcaide
- Duong Quoc Hoang
- Bernie Regalario
- Mickey Krause
- James Aranas
Gorst is not listed, but his face is on the promo. I assume he will be on the Reyes World Team (and Mosconi too).