Happy Anniversary
- Thread starter Brain71
- Start date
Nice post.
I have no idea exactly when the match occurred (I know it was in 1986) but if the match was on May 4, 1996, as you suggest, that's an anniversary worth noting.
It was one hell of a match, but the facts have been obscured by history. First of all, Efren is probably not even a top ten 9ball player ever and, at the time, would have been a heavy underdog to Jose Parica in a 9ball race of any real length. In truth, 9ball was probably Efren's fourth best game, behind 15-ball rotation, 8ball and one pocket. Undeniably, Parica was never the all-around player that Efren was. Efren, of course, was the most popular player in Asia, however, so his inclusion made plenty of sense at the time.
The film was released on October 17, 1986, so that anniversary is yet to come, but count me in for the celebration when it comes.
I have no idea exactly when the match occurred (I know it was in 1986) but if the match was on May 4, 1996, as you suggest, that's an anniversary worth noting.
It was one hell of a match, but the facts have been obscured by history. First of all, Efren is probably not even a top ten 9ball player ever and, at the time, would have been a heavy underdog to Jose Parica in a 9ball race of any real length. In truth, 9ball was probably Efren's fourth best game, behind 15-ball rotation, 8ball and one pocket. Undeniably, Parica was never the all-around player that Efren was. Efren, of course, was the most popular player in Asia, however, so his inclusion made plenty of sense at the time.
The film was released on October 17, 1986, so that anniversary is yet to come, but count me in for the celebration when it comes.
Still, you made an uplifting post, so it's all good. In addition, this match introduced the long race format to most of the world. At the time, such a long race was revolutionary.
I hate to disagree BBUUUTTT, considering that Earl WAS one of the GOATs of 9 ball if not THE GOAT of 9ball and Efren WON the color of money match, I'd have to say that your assessment of his place in 9 ball is a tad misplaced; however, you aren't incorrect about him being the underdog against Parica in 9 ball.
This topic comes up often on the forum, and the general opinion is that Efren was not top ten ever at 9ball. I'd put him in my top fifteen for sure. As is so often discussed on the forum, the reason was that he had a pretty weak break. It's well known that CJ had a winning record in action matches against Efren, and that's because CJ knew it was the only game in which Efren had a weakness that could be exploited.
Efren is the best player of all time, not only because he was brilliant in so many disciplines, but because his innovative play both taught and inspired many who came after him. I'm not making light of Efren's accomplishment here, but his 9ball title count is not there with that of the greatest hall of famers. Luther Lassiter and Harold Worst belong in anybody's top ten of all time at 9ball. Even during Efren's peak years, Strickland, Archer, Varner and Sigel were all winning more 9ball majors. Bustamante was probably Efren's equal at 9ball, and Parica was the guy none of these wanted a piece of, Earl included (as related by Jay Helfert).
.. and that leaves out the more recent superstars of 9ball like Filler, Gorst, SVB, Souquet, Immonen, Appleton and Pagulayan, all of whom are in the conversation.
Of course, this is all a matter of opinion, and if Efren makes your top ten, it is certainly OK by me. He just doesn't make mine.
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