For all the SVB worshipers . . . .

yobagua said:
It wasnt an ignorant comment. It was one mans OPINION. Just like yours. What accent dont you hear. When Alex is speaking fluent Tagalog. WHat is your point? That he doesnt count as a Filipino because he dont sound like one? Thats your OPINION.
ALex wasnt groomed by the Canadian government either though they now are proud to claim him as one of there own.
I think it is fine for someone to have some critical opinion. Maybe it will help Shane look at things different as opposed to the drooling precious sentiment that is given to him by some.
He's a great cueist. He will be greater. He will weather much more negativity than what was said in the Phillipines.
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Yup.
How in the world is Alex not a Filipino?:eek:
He grew up in Canada but has gone back to the islands several times and lives there now. Has a child there.
Eats balut, adobo, drinks San Mig and speaks Tagalog with a Manila accent/twang.
 
grooming the lion. . . .

Actually . . . .

Alex and his family moved to Canada when he was young, I believe he already started playing pool in the Philippines but was not the polished killer we see today.

It was Canadian Pro Cliff Thorburn who took Alex and his raw talent under his wing and groomed him into a champion.

Cliff brought Alex to the states and took him on the road there.

Alex credit's Cliff with for his success.

It's funny how two different countries will claim someone's roots as soon as that person becomes famous!

The last I heard Alex has dual citizenship and homes in Canada, Manila, & Honolulu.

Alex's Filipino accent is very noticable when he speaks. But I don't know what that has to do with anything.

To make this Filipino Vs. American is oversimplifying the issue. Perry Mariano never said anything about nationality. He was just commenting about a particualr person's game. He's entitled to his opinion just like everyone else.

Anyway, according to Jay Helfert, after Jeff lost to Shane, Perry wanted to match up another of his players, Gabica, but GaGa refused. So it sounds to me like Shane Van Boening got the last laugh when he left Bugsy's Lair with Perry's money and no one else willing to play him.
 
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yobagua said:
It wasnt an ignorant comment. It was one mans OPINION. Just like yours. What accent dont you hear. When Alex is speaking fluent Tagalog. WHat is your point? That he doesnt count as a Filipino because he dont sound like one? Thats your OPINION.
ALex wasnt groomed by the Canadian government either though they now are proud to claim him as one of there own.
I think it is fine for someone to have some critical opinion. Maybe it will help Shane look at things different as opposed to the drooling precious sentiment that is given to him by some.
He's a great cueist. He will be greater. He will weather much more negativity than what was said in the Phillipines.
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That was exactly my point. It's funny when national pride kicks in and everybody starts claiming people.

The only point is that Perry did make a disparaging comment about Shane's game. And yes, it's his opinon. And yes mine is also only an opinion. The difference is however that I am perfectly willing, as are many others to accept Perry's opinion if he will bet on it.

If Perry thinks Shane is the weaker player then he can line up the players and have them spot Shane and he will find many who will take that bet.

That's all.

P.S. I don't think the Canadian government is claiming anyone. Last I checked neither the US or Canadian government cares much about pool players and their accomplishments.

At least in that respect Taiwan and the Phillipines kicks some serious ass!
 
kano said:
It's funny how two different countries will claim someone's roots as soon as that person becomes famous!
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I dont think anybody's trying to claim anything but rather establishing facts. His bio reads he moved to Canada at 15 yrs of age in 1993 and moved back to the Philippines 2004. Give or take 11 years in Canada. Yes he has dual citizenship but he prefers to represent The Philippines.

As for Bugsy's comment on SVB, he is rather mistaken. I understand though that he is just biased. He does have a stable of world beaters after all and naturally sides with them. It would be amazing if the trend of pool player stables caught on in the US.
 
yobagua said:
If I said Efren was the greatest one pocket and rotation player in the universe would you try to organize a posse against him at the Riviera for 6 figures. Whats the point? Or is there more to your post than what appears? Why not play on neutral turf? Why not play in Hawaii where it is American soil but has a huge Filipino population.
I think that you were not able to get even a fair amount of entries into the US Open one pocket that a event at the BCA RIVIERA event is not really worth it for 4 Filipino champions.
I think Shane is a great player and will be even greater. Let him have some time to soak up his experience and to think about WHAT HE WANTS to do.
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Probably partly because at that time Mark is putting on one the greatest pool shows on earth. And it would be a huge draw - SVB vs. The World.

The point is that we have faith in Shane just like you all have faith in your players. Shane makes it easy to root for him. He is humble, personable, respectful, and a hell of a player. And folks like Mark Griffin and the Action Report like to put him on stage. So look at it as a free shot at the cash. Even if Shane wins a few sets he is unlikely to win them all so Bugsy's crew gets multiple tries at coming up winner overall.
 
Hmm i was under the impression that Cliff Thorburn was a Snooker player. So did he groom Alex to become a champion snooker player then later alex advance to become a Pool player on his own?

I remembered a funny incident many many years ago where Cliff Thorburn was playing Terry Griffins in a tournment. Both players were amongst the slowest players in the world! The Cliff noticed some of the spectators were starting to leave, he called out to them asking them to come back, he will pay them to watch!

Sorry a little oot. Just thought i relieve some tension here with a funny incident that i remembered.
 
Uh I am an American like Shane. Like Jack Johnson, like Muhammed Ali, Ira Hayes, etc. Its just that I dont take umbrage to what Bugsy said. He has his opinion and I have mine.
I dont "love" the Filipino's any more than I do the Dutch or the Germans or The Taiwanese. They have all contributed to the sport. I dont have any rah rah xenophobic attitude when it comes to other peoples opinion of our players. The Americans are the ones to beat in the Mosconi cup. And thats that.
Hey that would be a good idea. A Asia/America cup. Asian players versus ours.
 
I think taiwan alone would be quite a handful.

I am sure Philippine will be able to put up a decent team.

So does Indonesia.

Even Vietnam is up and coming.

China has got a new coach so everyone better watch out!!

Maybe this should be what a world cup Pool should be like instead of that one shot each thingy that they are doing.

Why is Mosconi cup between USA and Europe only? Considering the way the rest of the world has developed in the Game of pool, perhaps it is time to expand a little.
 
John Barton said:
Probably partly because at that time Mark is putting on one the greatest pool shows on earth. And it would be a huge draw - SVB vs. The World.

The point is that we have faith in Shane just like you all have faith in your players. Shane makes it easy to root for him. He is humble, personable, respectful, and a hell of a player. And folks like Mark Griffin and the Action Report like to put him on stage. So look at it as a free shot at the cash. Even if Shane wins a few sets he is unlikely to win them all so Bugsy's crew gets multiple tries at coming up winner overall.
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Absoloutely! It would be an AWESOME show! I think this is a great idea, and I'm glad to see Mark Griffin standing by Shane's side, just like our friend Jay Helfert.
 
Just a couple notes from a Canadian.

First please give the correct man his deserved credit for Alex's pool development while in Canada. It certainly wasn't Cliff Thorburn, it was a great gentleman named Paul Thornley.

Paul was not only a great coach/teacher but a great friend to Alex growing up in his late teens and early twenties. Alex definately credits Paul and has in several interviews. Paul is very highly respected by all of us.

Secondly it should be noted that the Canadian Government in no way shape or form supports billiards unfortunatly!!

No matter who Alex is playing for we Canadians love and respect him!!
 
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I think that if Alex wins the World Championship the Canadian Government would gladly accept him as one of their very own
 
My bad!

I knew it was a Canadian pro who's last name started with T. I looked up the player list on the AZB player finder. Cliff's was the first one I saw. And both names are very similar in the beginning.

Again my bad, thanks for the correction.
 
srs314 said:
Just a couple notes from a Canadian.

First please give the correct man his deserved credit for Alex's pool development while in Canada. It certainly wasn't Cliff Thorburn, it was a great gentleman named Paul Thornley.

Paul was not only a great coach/teacher but a great friend to Alex growing up in his late teens and early twenties. Alex definately credits Paul and has in several interviews. Paul is very highly respected by all of us.

Secondly it should be noted that the Canadian Government in no way shape or form supports billiards unfortunatly!!

No matter who Alex is playing for we Canadians love and respect him!!
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You are correct it is Paul Thornley who develped Alex game ...you can ask alex who's his favourite Player .. He would always say Paul Thornley the true Canadian hustler and player...You can see Paul thornley at le spot every wednesday which his teaching me and my friends how to play and how to make a shot on a cue ball lol...Paul is a very good friend of mine and even his not playing pool anymore he still has a passion to teach others like me. Even if Alex practicing at Le spot before the big tournament he always ask Paul what his gonna do on his shot and Paul will tell which angle and how his going to make a shot even Alex is a world champion and US champion...so i think the true champion in alex heart is his mentor PAUL THORNLEY
 
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European oppinion

I just wanted to through my humble oppinion in, from a more neutral side. Iam from Germany, Europe (for those who dont know:) ).
Just forget about Bugsys oppinion he will always root for his players as Americans will root for theirs and thats ok, imo. I am happy to see the Germans win, so what? Its part of the game and I love it. But people shouldnt forget its just a game (that we all love). I studied at Penn State 15 years ago and still have many friends in the U.S. Accidently I got to know Mr. Earl Strickland who gave me some lessons to that time. Although he is probably the most controversial player today I still like him because I got to know him personally and I wish he would win one more big title. I bet if anyone of you would get to know some European or Asian players you would cheer for them too. There are many nice players out there. On the European tour I have got to know many players from all over Europe and Asia and believe me I had many good nights playing pool, laughing and drinking my all time favourite Jack Daniels with them. Cheerio, Tim


Aah, I forgot my thoughts about Shane.
I just wanted to give my compliments for a great American player. I am sure he is going to win many more titles, especially when he gains more experience the next years.
But ... its hard for any player to win the WPC. Did you realize how many great players didnt even make the knock out stage (first of all my friend Thorsten Hohmann). And today, the only champion of the last few years still in contention is Mika Immonen. Obviously they all know how to play pool:)
 
yobagua said:
I think that if Alex wins the World Championship the Canadian Government would gladly accept him as one of their very own
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His already one of their very own. He already won a WPC 9-Ball when he was still representing Canada.
 
John Barton said:
Probably partly because at that time Mark is putting on one the greatest pool shows on earth. And it would be a huge draw - SVB vs. The World.

The point is that we have faith in Shane just like you all have faith in your players. Shane makes it easy to root for him. He is humble, personable, respectful, and a hell of a player. And folks like Mark Griffin and the Action Report like to put him on stage. So look at it as a free shot at the cash. Even if Shane wins a few sets he is unlikely to win them all so Bugsy's crew gets multiple tries at coming up winner overall.
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This might make for a seemingly strange analogy...but here goes anyways!

One of the problems that Shane is facing, that Bugsy doesn't seem to want to acknowledge, is very similar to what a young Bobby Fischer faced in the late fifties and early sixties. Fischer faced a form of collusion from the Russians in his bid to win the world chess championship...effectively it really was him against the world due the shear number of russian opponents, and at least in that case, the way they played against each other.

In Shanes case if any of bugsy's stable wins, it's a win for the philipines and/or for bugsy...no matter how well Shane plays it becomes a shear numbers game!

It has been posted on here before, and quite frankly I like the idea, of the World Championship once again being decided by one on one challenge matches...make a hierarchy system of amateurs up through professionals and come up through the ranks! Less luck involved and more desisive a winner...in my opinion.
 
Opinion

JWilliams - very astute observations .... Shane could beat 30 top Filpino players, and lose to 1, and it would be a triumph for the Filapinos.

I love watching the Mosconi Cup, and would like it if the Phillipines started the 'Reyes Cup' with team and individual competition with the USA on an annual basis.

It is not because Shane is not creative, it is because he doesn't have to show it much because he plays so clean in his game. But, there could be some validity to the fact that Shane might not have the full range of experience yet since he is only 24.

I have a question - How many players have won the WPC their first time playing in it?
 
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Scott your analogy works in the reverse too. When Efren was beaten by Buddy Hall and Shannon Daulton in the Legends of one pocket every one was whooping it up. Claiming a victory for their side. But we really know where Efren stands today in one hole.
 
I am sorry to tell you this, but Perry may have a point. SVB has shown that he is a fine pocketer and he finishes what he is supposed to finish. Shotmaking is based more on pure talent, and SVB has not shown that ability YET!! and I stress yet.

If you compare SVB to Deuel or Archer at the same age, they both exhibited more talent than SVB. And quite frankly Deuel hasnt quite lived up to the expectations of his vast potential.
 
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