Well, I finally made it to Hard Times during one of the Jamborees. What a great venue! I got there about 3 p.m. and the hot seat match and two 1-loss matches were going on. In action were Marlon Manalo against Edwin Montal, Francisco Bustamante against Tyler Eddy and John Schmidt against Gerardo Jamito. From were I was sitting I could see all matches.
They have raised benches with padding, mirrors on top, bathrooms you don't need to disturb the players to get to AND waitress service to the bleachers.
Anyway, the venue is great as a spectator and as a player it looked like.
Got to meet fellow AZBers 12squared, Tom from Cincy and John Schmidt. Good guys all. It was fun sweating John the final three matches. John really impressed me with how well he played. He played great against Manolo, but seemed off against Tyler Eddy and then he played good against Busty, but not quite good enough to win. I think he's right there with the Filipinos when it comes to running out and breaking. But there's no substitute for experience and when his kicking and safety games come around, he'll be a very tough cookie for those guys to beat. I look for him to transition from one of the best American players to one of the best players internationally over then next couple of years.
He started the finals by winning the first three (two BROs) and then Busty put 4 or 5 on him after he scratched on the break. (BROs) and then there was a little back and forth with both of them missing an easy shot before Busty finally won.
The after hours gambling sessions were in full force when I left, I got to see Ike Runnels playing Tony C and it was really fun to watch.
I took my camera, here are some images which might give you a feeling of the atmosphere.
Cheers,
RC
http://studioalameda.smugmug.com/gallery/3042819
They have raised benches with padding, mirrors on top, bathrooms you don't need to disturb the players to get to AND waitress service to the bleachers.
Anyway, the venue is great as a spectator and as a player it looked like.
Got to meet fellow AZBers 12squared, Tom from Cincy and John Schmidt. Good guys all. It was fun sweating John the final three matches. John really impressed me with how well he played. He played great against Manolo, but seemed off against Tyler Eddy and then he played good against Busty, but not quite good enough to win. I think he's right there with the Filipinos when it comes to running out and breaking. But there's no substitute for experience and when his kicking and safety games come around, he'll be a very tough cookie for those guys to beat. I look for him to transition from one of the best American players to one of the best players internationally over then next couple of years.
He started the finals by winning the first three (two BROs) and then Busty put 4 or 5 on him after he scratched on the break. (BROs) and then there was a little back and forth with both of them missing an easy shot before Busty finally won.
The after hours gambling sessions were in full force when I left, I got to see Ike Runnels playing Tony C and it was really fun to watch.
I took my camera, here are some images which might give you a feeling of the atmosphere.
Cheers,
RC
http://studioalameda.smugmug.com/gallery/3042819
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