The word "Dominance" is debatable on this forum, however
the word "Excellence" would probably fit more as an adjective IMO.
It doesn't in any way mean though that other nations are not
excellent (i.e. USA, Taiwan etc.). However, many on this
forum would agree that whenever a Filipino compete on
tournaments most of the time it rises to the top, im not saying
being always on the first place or being the champion, but
will have a significant place in terms of ranking on the tournament.
Now im not even mentioning the money games.
So why the "Excellence" or why the "Dominance" if im going
to borrow JAM's description?
This is just my .0000000002 cent worth of opinion.
1) Size and Economics.
As mention already by others size has nothing to
do with pool, unlike other disciplines like basketball,
volleyball etc., in terms of becoming on top of others.
So is economics, playing this game is not that expensive
compare to say archery, equestrian, golf etc.
2) Adaptability.
Filipino's assimilation of different culture or adapting
to other cultures is phenomenal to say the least. As our
historian would have say "333 years in the convent (under Spain)
and 50 years on Hollywood (under American)". As one foreign
writer in the early 1900's(?) commented on what he sees on
Filipinos and quoted by one historian here (i.e. Zaide),
"Filipinos are the most cosmopolitan people in the world".
Our OFWs (Overseas Foreign Worker) would attest to this fact.
In fact one American recruiter for Nurses, was interviewed,
and asked what's the trait that they find different on
Filipino Nurses. Without batting an eyelash, he says
the Filipinos have shorter time adapting the environment and
culture. Whereas other nationalities would take a longer
time to adapt, Filipinos in just short a time right away
adapt to the environment and culture.Translate that into
playing pool, we are accustomed on 15 ball, but when
coming to the US they play 9-ball, ok find we'll 9-ball,
8-ball ? ok we'll play 8-ball, 1-pocket? ok we'll play
1-pocket, bank pool? ok we'll play bank pool etc. Fast cloth,
slow cloth, pristine Equipment, Aramith balls etc. ? We'll
we're so accustomed playing crappy equipment so that
would be a dream playing those. I still could remember during
my childhood days, when we have pool tables lining on the street
with no hoods/roofs, there are holes on the table cloth that
we have to just tape it with electrical tape, cues are very warped
that getting a straight one would be a very big bonus, hey
we never complain just play along..he.he.he
3) Creativity in Adversity.
In many countries especially the wealthy one, you see buses,
trains, personal cars (expensive or not) as a means of
transportation of the masses. When you go here, its not the buses
or any mode of transportation that are ubiquitous, its the Jeepney.
Which by the way borrowed from the American's version's "Jeep" which
is an automible brand there. I've been to many islands and places
here in the Phils and from place to place i see different versions of
Jeepnies from these places, when you go to Manila its different, when
you go to Cebu its different, when you go to Bacolod or Ililo its
different etc. In fact i heard that 2 of the designers of the moon
rover of the 1969 Apollo were Filipinos and they borrowed the idea
from our famed Jeepney here.Translate this one to pool, we dont have
pool video lessons, instructors, organized schools for players,
professional associations (we have association for olympics though).
Ok then we will learn it by ourselves, first we learn the basic draw,
english, follow through etc. not on the above mention avenues but on
sub-par equipment tables, gambling ridden poolhalls (not to mention those
who skip classes) etc. The good players teach us, yes!, but so is
the bad players (remember Efren's comment?). So when they come to
the US, hey look at the stroke of those guys, they aren't following
by the book or the norms, the play pattern hey that's unconventional you don't
have pool playing mind pattern that would be effective. But when
the smoke clears they're hoarding your trophies and your moneys.
Then you guys would think, they are not doing it by the book
(as Taiwanese or American does) but it is as effective and at times more
effective than has been thought by the book.Hhhmmm that's something,
for me, that imagative creativity is the result of adversity that we experience here.
Look at the kick shots or the ambidextrous playing capability of the Filipinos.
The 1st one IMO is that jump ball are always regarded (though there are
exceptions) as foul, so instead of using the jumping cues which would
mean additional expenses why not use the rail. The second one (on ambidextrous)
is why so many filipino pool players play their left hand as almost as
good as their right hand IMO is many of us are short people now instead of
using the bridge there are many situations that the other hand would
prove better. Or if you have become so good and other players would be
asking weight from you,so instead of playing right handed you would play
left-handed.
This is just my own opinion and observation folks.
Now that was long
