Sunday morning and all is quiet on the pool front here at Turning Stone. I'm up like a rooster early in the morning, which is the norm for me, no matter what time I go to bed. Keith was quite comfy snoozing away at 8:00 a.m., but JAM was raring to go. Unbelievably, he did rise to make the trek to Starbucks with me and get a bite to eat at one of the many eateries at this facility.
So I get my usual triple-shot cappie and Keith gets a Hazelnut coffee. Up walks Efren Reyes out of nowhere, and he stood behind us waiting to place his order. He gently smiled, greeted us, and then proceeded to order a cup of coffee for himself. In a tournament of this caliber with the BEST players from around the world, I wondered if he felt any nervousness or anxiety about what was in store for him up ahead. I know if Keith was in his spot, I'd be a Nervous Nellie, but Efren was relaxed and today seemed just like any other day for the most heralded pool player in the world. As we departed Starbucks, I looked back and Efren nestled himself at a table to enjoy his cup of joe. Just business as usual for The Magician on this fine Sunday.
Today, Mike Massey is going to do another exhibition. Even the staff here at Turning Stone are talking about catching a glimpse of Mike's act. One security guard said he had never seen anything like it. The Mike Massey Show has really complemented this venue, and he is most definitely an asset to the game/sport. Mike offered to take Keith and me to dinner. I was flattered that he invited us to spend a little time with him on the offs.
There are eight players left in the tournament, and three of them are members of the famed Filipino Invasion: Jose "Amang" Parica, Efren Reyes, and Francisco Bustamante. Dennis Hatch has to play Efren on the winners' side. Hatch has had a good tournament this week. He said he hadn't hit a ball for over a month before he came. He's been a working man doing landscaping back home. Jose Parica and Danny Basavic also will step up to the plate on the B side of the charts, and these two have faced off many times before. Jose is hitting 'em GREAT, and this match-up will be one hard-fought battle. If I was a bookie, it would be a "pick 'em," but I'm leaning towards Jose, even though the Kid Delcious is one of my faves.
I can't tell you how many times I have heard players, fans, spectators, and sweating railbirds say that this is the BEST venue they had ever seen, and it's the truth. Scheduled match times, ample space between the tables, comfortable elevated seating, a convenient concession stand right in Exhibition Hall, and FREE bottled water for all, it doesn't get any better than this.
Drexel Hills Billiards owner Bob Maidhoff is a strong supporter of pool in the Philly area. He had a magnificant showing this week competing in the Joss Tour Season Finale, and I've gotta say that I was pleased to see him advance the charts. He ended up getting beat last night by a very determined Danny Basavich on the B side of the charts. He often hosts tournaments like Joss, Hampton Ridge, and other regional tours, and it keeps pool alive and well for many pool folk. Matter of fact, he's got a tournament coming up, $3,000 added I believe, within a few weeks, and rumor has it that MANY U.S. Open players will be in attendance, gearing up for another big event at the Chesapeake Conference Center in late September.
One of the biggest upsets was when Vongxway a/k/a "Super Man" lost to Niels Feijen. Racing to 9, he was on the hill and Niels needed two games with a score of 7. Super Man had a straight-in 9-ball for the win and he fired it with authority, and the ball rattled the pocket for a couple seconds, looked as if it was going to drop in, but then popped back out. Niels Feijen won the next two games and defeated him. It was a hard loss for the young man from Laos, but all in all, he too had a great showing this week and finished high on the charts in a very tough field.
Today, there will be, without a doubt, one of the best final matches ever, no matter who climbs to the top and ends up in the finals, and even though my counterpart will be raring to go to throw some dice when he rises, I do not want to miss the conclusion of this tournament up front and close. This was a fine tournament, and it's not too often one gets to see this caliber of play in such a comfortable environment. Personally, it would give me great pleasure to see Jose Parica come in first place, but at this juncture, it is difficult to pick a favorite (IMO).
The big "W" is up for grabs. So stay tuned to AzBilliards Main Page. Diana Hoppe is all set up in Exhibition Hall, high-speed Internet connection on her laptop, and will provide the latest immediately at the conclusion of the finals of a tournament which will surely go down in the history books as being the best venues ever, thanks to the Turning Stone Casino.
JAM
So I get my usual triple-shot cappie and Keith gets a Hazelnut coffee. Up walks Efren Reyes out of nowhere, and he stood behind us waiting to place his order. He gently smiled, greeted us, and then proceeded to order a cup of coffee for himself. In a tournament of this caliber with the BEST players from around the world, I wondered if he felt any nervousness or anxiety about what was in store for him up ahead. I know if Keith was in his spot, I'd be a Nervous Nellie, but Efren was relaxed and today seemed just like any other day for the most heralded pool player in the world. As we departed Starbucks, I looked back and Efren nestled himself at a table to enjoy his cup of joe. Just business as usual for The Magician on this fine Sunday.
Today, Mike Massey is going to do another exhibition. Even the staff here at Turning Stone are talking about catching a glimpse of Mike's act. One security guard said he had never seen anything like it. The Mike Massey Show has really complemented this venue, and he is most definitely an asset to the game/sport. Mike offered to take Keith and me to dinner. I was flattered that he invited us to spend a little time with him on the offs.
There are eight players left in the tournament, and three of them are members of the famed Filipino Invasion: Jose "Amang" Parica, Efren Reyes, and Francisco Bustamante. Dennis Hatch has to play Efren on the winners' side. Hatch has had a good tournament this week. He said he hadn't hit a ball for over a month before he came. He's been a working man doing landscaping back home. Jose Parica and Danny Basavic also will step up to the plate on the B side of the charts, and these two have faced off many times before. Jose is hitting 'em GREAT, and this match-up will be one hard-fought battle. If I was a bookie, it would be a "pick 'em," but I'm leaning towards Jose, even though the Kid Delcious is one of my faves.
I can't tell you how many times I have heard players, fans, spectators, and sweating railbirds say that this is the BEST venue they had ever seen, and it's the truth. Scheduled match times, ample space between the tables, comfortable elevated seating, a convenient concession stand right in Exhibition Hall, and FREE bottled water for all, it doesn't get any better than this.
Drexel Hills Billiards owner Bob Maidhoff is a strong supporter of pool in the Philly area. He had a magnificant showing this week competing in the Joss Tour Season Finale, and I've gotta say that I was pleased to see him advance the charts. He ended up getting beat last night by a very determined Danny Basavich on the B side of the charts. He often hosts tournaments like Joss, Hampton Ridge, and other regional tours, and it keeps pool alive and well for many pool folk. Matter of fact, he's got a tournament coming up, $3,000 added I believe, within a few weeks, and rumor has it that MANY U.S. Open players will be in attendance, gearing up for another big event at the Chesapeake Conference Center in late September.
One of the biggest upsets was when Vongxway a/k/a "Super Man" lost to Niels Feijen. Racing to 9, he was on the hill and Niels needed two games with a score of 7. Super Man had a straight-in 9-ball for the win and he fired it with authority, and the ball rattled the pocket for a couple seconds, looked as if it was going to drop in, but then popped back out. Niels Feijen won the next two games and defeated him. It was a hard loss for the young man from Laos, but all in all, he too had a great showing this week and finished high on the charts in a very tough field.
Today, there will be, without a doubt, one of the best final matches ever, no matter who climbs to the top and ends up in the finals, and even though my counterpart will be raring to go to throw some dice when he rises, I do not want to miss the conclusion of this tournament up front and close. This was a fine tournament, and it's not too often one gets to see this caliber of play in such a comfortable environment. Personally, it would give me great pleasure to see Jose Parica come in first place, but at this juncture, it is difficult to pick a favorite (IMO).
The big "W" is up for grabs. So stay tuned to AzBilliards Main Page. Diana Hoppe is all set up in Exhibition Hall, high-speed Internet connection on her laptop, and will provide the latest immediately at the conclusion of the finals of a tournament which will surely go down in the history books as being the best venues ever, thanks to the Turning Stone Casino.
JAM
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