Heirs Apparent?
- Thread starter Renegade
- Start date
Dennis and Marlon are the likely heirs. Gandy's progress hit a plateau but that US trip may reignite the desire. He's just a mid-3rd level player here while Dennis and Marlon are 1s in 9, 10 & Rotation. I suspect that Dennis pulled up a little for Gandy to get to 7 games won in their final match at Hardtimes Sac. The likely spread should be about 11-4.Renegade said:
Renegade said:
I think Alex Pagulayan has already done this.
Currently and averaged out in the following disciplines, about even. Alex has the edge over the other 2 when it comes to 1p but Dennis is likely to win more encounters in 9,10 and rotation and all 3 are even at 8b. Alex isn't around here, in high stakes matches, as often as Dennis but we may see more of him soon as I heard that he flew in yesterday and looking to sharpen up for the upcoming IPT tournament. May be of interest, Efren's been playing some 8 for cheap sets against a French IPTer. Who's the French IPT member? Anyone know?jsp said:
bandido said:
Vincent Facquet is a French IPT Member
Thanks for the answer.bandido said:
One more question. You probably know more about Manalo than anyone here. So the question is...was he originally a snooker player or a pool player? From articles I've read, they say that Marlon was brought up playing snooker in PI and that he just started to play 9ball in 2003.
It's very hard for me to believe that Marlon wasn't first brought up a pool player before he turned to snooker (especially in the Philippines!). That statement about him not playing 9ball untill 2003 may be true, but I'm sure he played rotation or some other pool game prior to 2003.
Can you please set the record straight. Thanks!
Your info was correct but what they probably meant was that he started getting serious in pool in 2003. It was during that time that Dennis and I visit Marlon at their 2nd poolhall (Cubao), 1st PH is within the residence property in Mandaluyong, and beat him every single time.jsp said:
Marlon was the #1 snooker player here in Souteast Asia for quite sometime as evidenced by his SEA Games gold medals. So yes, he concentrated on snooker and just putzed-around in pool. You can tell by his stance that he's snooker trained.
You're right about the pool cue first. But he was just a banger (unrated)back then in pool when he started formal training in snooker.jsp said:
DeoMark Alpajora was suppose to start intensive training, being promoted from training team status, to fill the spot that Marlon left but also decided at that time to play more pool instead. He was playing under the radar (not playing in major battlegrounds) until I started matching him up with rated players (Dodong Andam, Ben Ba-ay, Jun LaSalle..) a few months before his whole family migrated to California.
Last edited:
bandido said:
Edwin where was you a few months ago lol!
You probably missed it but a few die hard pool fans on this site who I won't mention swore blind that Marlon and others, like Raj for instance didn't start out playing Snooker. To me it was always obvious when you watch them play, but it was also documented to death, didn't help of course but still good to hear your comments. Some snippets from their respective IPT profiles...
"Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo was born on November 27, 1975 in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. In recent years, Manalo has become a lethal weapon in the world of pool; he is one of the most feared players today. Manalo won the 2001 Asian Snooker Championship, and is predominantly a snooker playe"
"Raj Hundal became a professional pool player six years ago after discovering his heart wasn’t in snooker. "
PS
I would probably back Manalo against most players in the world playing 9 ball/8 ball, I was that impressed with him. I also spent alot of time watching Valle and others on Star sports when I was in Asia, I was actually REALLY impressed with Valle and also Gabica in particular, maybe theyre not as consistent as the others like Dennis, but I really rated their BEST game.
PPS
Any ideas while Dennis didn't excel at 14.1, there where alot of players in the recent tournament that where extreemly new to 14.1 but still did ok, Eberle for example and a host of others. I am baffled why Dennis can be such a great rotation player where he has to run the balls in order, but didn't do quite so well when playing the same rack in any order?
Craig
TheOne said:
I think its mostly a matter of strategy. In straight pool there are many variables that an unfamiliar player will not take into consideration. Identifying a break ball early, having knowledge of breaking up clusters, setting up for a shot on the break ball, etc. Coming from a snooker background, breaking up clusters should be second nature, but there is a difference in ball size, mass and weight - and strategy in straight pool. Straight pool is a continuous rack. If you are used to just banging 9 balls and out every day in life, (or 8 or 15) running 50 balls will seem like an enormous feat.
The greatest enemy when you are in the middle of a big run in straight pool is loss of concentration and focus. If you have trained and prepared yourself to have some big runs, your concentration and focus will be much stronger than someone that just plays 9 ball every day. Another problem as it relates to rotation is cue ball control. The cue ball doesn't travel as much in 14.1 as it does in 9 ball or rotation. Some of the best rotation players love to let their stroke out. In 14.1 you very rarely have an opportunity to really let out your stroke, and I know a lot players that "tighten up" during straight pool - and they lose that looseness required to play at their best.
As far as "heirs apparant", I am of the belief that nobody knows what is going to happen and who is going to break out in the next year or two. I can remember back to a time when Johnny Archer was not much of a threat on the pro tour. He was young, bold, rarely played safe, and usually his lack of knowledge in that area of the game cost him a lot matches. Who would have guessed he would have progressed and gone as far as he has in pool? Nobody would have picked him out of a crowd. I remember teling people about Ralf Souquet and many other great German players back in the late 1980's. I was told repeatedly by many respectable people and players that "the Germans don't understand how to play the game like the Americans do." Ok.
So I think that what makes pool exciting is the fact that you never know where these great players are going to come from. Some of them may be going through a phase of development right now that is going to lead them towards greatness, just like when Thorsten won the WPC a few years ago. In the Philippines, there is a such a great depth of awesome players. It is hard to say who will be the big gun when Efren calls it quits (btw, he shows no signs of slowing down, he is the reigning King of the Hill). Parica, Luat, Andam, Bustamante, & Acaba have all had a great influence on the new generation of players in much the same way Earl, Buddy Hall, Nick Varner, and Mike Sigel have influenced the American players.
I'm also surprised Dennis didn't place better in the 14.1 competition. He didn't do horribly, going 5-2 in the group stages and beating varner, mccreesh, and barouty. But he did go two and out in the double elimination stage. Still thought he would have done better.TheOne said:
BTW, thanks for the answers Edwin.
shanesinnott said:
My thoughts exactly, no disrespect towards Orcullo or Valle because their both great players, but until they show that they can take down some major titles (US Open, WPC, etc.) they won't quite be up there on the same level as a Pagulayan or Reyes whom both have won an incredible amount of tournaments.
I had the pleasure of watching Dennis and Gandy in the Finals at Hard Times in Sacramento.
I also saw Marlon last year in the same 9 Ball finals at Hard Times.
I like Marlon's game a lot better than Dennis'. Marlon just doesn't miss and plays a lot smarter than Dennis.
But, (and this is a big But), Dennis is capable of getting out from anywhere on the table.
Gandy didn't play as well against Dennis as he did against Tyler Edey (9-2)(Canada) and Edwin Montal (9-0). By the way, Edwin told me that he couldn't remember the last time he was shut out in a tournament match.
Dennis paid a hefty price for One Pocket lessons from Tony Chohan after the 9 ball tournament. But, it didn't cost as much as Warren Kiamco paid earlier in the week. Tony won 7-2 in a race to 7 for 3.5k
Tony and Warren played a race to 7 One Pocket and the match was over in less than 90 minutes with the score being 7-3 Tony. 5k on the lite.
I also saw Marlon last year in the same 9 Ball finals at Hard Times.
I like Marlon's game a lot better than Dennis'. Marlon just doesn't miss and plays a lot smarter than Dennis.
But, (and this is a big But), Dennis is capable of getting out from anywhere on the table.
Gandy didn't play as well against Dennis as he did against Tyler Edey (9-2)(Canada) and Edwin Montal (9-0). By the way, Edwin told me that he couldn't remember the last time he was shut out in a tournament match.
Dennis paid a hefty price for One Pocket lessons from Tony Chohan after the 9 ball tournament. But, it didn't cost as much as Warren Kiamco paid earlier in the week. Tony won 7-2 in a race to 7 for 3.5k
Tony and Warren played a race to 7 One Pocket and the match was over in less than 90 minutes with the score being 7-3 Tony. 5k on the lite.
Bandido,
You have offered some very good insights on this thread. Thanks.
I believe that Manalo and Orcullo are on another level above Valle, at least right now. I personally think Alcano is just below Manalo & Orcullo and slightly better than Valle.
You have offered some very good insights on this thread. Thanks.
I believe that Manalo and Orcullo are on another level above Valle, at least right now. I personally think Alcano is just below Manalo & Orcullo and slightly better than Valle.
Tom In Cincy said:
My sources told me there was ALOT of gamblin going on at the Hardtimes Jamboree, surpise surprise
Edwin and Tyler are players from my hometown and they got beat up by Dennis during the tourny, fortunately Tyler got back at Dennis winning some money games! I don't recall this much action taking place in years past? Is it always this lively?
sniper said:My sources told me there was ALOT of gamblin going on at the Hardtimes Jamboree, surpise surprise
I didn't hear about Tyle Edey and Dennis Orcollo matching up. I know Tyler and Lil John made a macth that was for small beans and played a couple of sets feeling each other out.
Last thursday nite after all the tournament matches were over, all 8 tournament room tables had matchups going. This happens during the Jamboree a lot.
The rest of the year, slow and just a little chump change matchups.
Thanks Shane, that's the name. He's here now and trying to follow Fabio Petroni and Marcus Chamat's road map. You all probably think that, from the stories that you read and hear, you'll need a hefty bankroll to hone your skills here. I guess common sense says that you'll need a healthy stake to play the higher ranked players in order to make your trip worth it. That does not apply here and Vincent is witness to that. Even Efren played him $40/set 8-ball the other night. People here just love to play and put on a good show for the audience.
Tom In Cincy said:
I don't know what kind of stakes they were playing for (Tyler and Dennis) I just heard from someone that was in contact with Tyler, I imagine it was smaller stakes or you probably would've heard something about it. It's nice to see lot's of action though.