Mabuhay Manila

In the Quarterfinal matches yesterday Team Taiwan and Team Philippines play superb, running over their opponents. Germany has trouble with France but pulls it out. The four best teams are in the Semis! Both Chinese teams, the Philippines 'B' team (I no longer use that term in my commentary. I have always felt they were the stronger squad), and Germany.

The defensive battles of the earlier rounds are over. It's a shootout now, with the best teams stringing racks together. Al four teams have big guns who can pull off any shot. I'm wondering about the possibility of the two Chinese teams reaching the finals against each other. Wouldn't that be something! It would take on an aura of more than a mere pool tournament. As everyone knows the two divided Chinas are fierce rivals. Of course, Team Germany and Team PI will have a lot to say about this.

I just am informed that I will working all matches today. The honchos at Solar TV like my commentary. I really get into it, and notice the little things that make the difference in many matches. After all these years, I can tell when a player is uncomfortable with a shot, and so many times I've called it correctly here. I'm in stroke up in the booth! At least somewhere I'm hitting them good. :smile:

One last thing before I run off to prepare for work. Matchroom events are GREAT! Well run, well executed and always exciting! I'm honored to be here working on this event. The best in pool and I'm in the middle of it. Too cool for school! Last thing. 9-Ball works! Great for TV and very fan friendly. A little luck (and that's all there is) doesn't hurt a thing. The best teams get there in the end, even with this format. Take note pool world!
 
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You belong in the middle of it Jay. Nobody does it better, with more class and inherent fairness than you.
 
Jay I would like your personal opinion on something, I felt that Alcano/Corteza would have been a much better bet for the B team?

not knocking gomez or orcollo, what was the thinking behind the selection? Just curious if you had any insight?
 
World Cup Finals

Well, I finally arrived in Manila and spent much of my first day watching the semi finals and finals of the World Cup. It was the wildest pool tournament I have ever seen, but it had nothing to do with the players. The Filipino crowd was just completely off the hook. They were hanging off the rafters in this place. The arena was for about 250 people, and it was full. You had to stand in line to buy the ticket and then stand in line again to enter the arena (about an hour of wait). Or, you could pick a spot on the railing of the three-story shopping mall that circled the arena (for free). I would guess there were at least 400 or 500 people watching from the railings above. Anytime the Pinoys made a good shot, the place would go crazy. Anytime the opponent missed a shot, it was a celebration of cheers and applause. The Taiwan fans did the same thing. I have never seen this anywhere but the Mosconi Cup. The Pinoy players added to this frenzy with high fives and chest-bumping celebrations like you would see in a football game on Saturday ESPN. Folks, this is what pool should be. If we could bring this type of fan support and excitement to the States, it would make all of our players the well-paid superstars that they deserve to be.
Jay was doing the commentary for Solar Sports and he does great work. I did get to say hello, and he was very gracious in meeting me.

I am avoiding cabs and taking local transportation around town. It has been a learning experience, but everyone on the street has been helpful and most of them very friendly. I walk everywhere alone and even took the MRT LRT at night-no problems folks, just get used to the crowds.

This is a great place to visit for pool players. I look forward to Jay's next report. I think he will agree that this final session was a great pool event. I am thankful to have been there to enjoy it.

Later Guys!

RC
 
hi jay

glad you are here. disappointed philippines lost in the finals. are you staying the whole september in manila with all these tournaments?

just curious. after hearing your comments on the world cup.
is manila the best place for you for a pool tournament anywhere in the world?

is manila the best tournament you have ever seen and been with?

if you are a player playing in the tournament here, would you consider manila the best place to play in or where you are most excited to play?

can you say the same for other foreign players who play here? i think souquet really loves to play here but i think archer by the look of his facial expression sometimes seems to be raring to go home already.

you know what my top five tournaments to have watched is all here in manila because of the audience, people, players cracking under pressure and players excelling during pressure.

my top five would be:
1. women world ten ball (that was fun because women players are in the forefront and the audience ecstatic seeing women play. what made it better was amit because no one expected here to win.
2. orcullo and gomez in the semis against taiwan. (orcullo was so psyched up. hill hill.the drama was there from start to finish. that's why doubles is so great because of the interaction.
3. alcano winning against souquet in the wpc finals
4. bata and django in the world cup last year ( it was comedy,drama,skill thriller and so much more was there)
5. bata winning against pagulayan in another tournament years ago
6. pagulayan winning against pei wei chang in wpc finals.(that was in taiwan)

hope to meet you someday jay. have fun here in manila - jay
 
To answer a couple of questions posed above - My dream team for the Philippines would have been Dennis and Lee Van, and yes Manila is the center of the pool universe imo. They've had several great events here in the last few years and the audiences keep getting bigger and better. It was estimated that 400 people jammed into the small arena last night with 1,500-2,000 more lining every inch of available space in the mall. Anywhere they could stand or sit to even get a glimpse of the players and the table.

The filipino pool fans are a knowledgeable bunch, aware of what constitutes a good shot and what is merely good fortune. They will applaud well exectuted shots by opposing players, and when they cheer on a missed ball it is not derisively, but more a show of support for the home squad. What happened in Robinsons Place mall yesterday was unlike anything I have ever witnessed before. First of all the two semifinal matches were simply magnificent! Great displays of fantastic shooting under extreme pressure. Germany came back from a 6-1 deficit, running five racks in the process, to take a 7-6 lead and still lost the match. It was high drama all the way!

This was merely a warm up for what happened next. Two great teams (Taiwan and Philippines) performed almost beyond what I thought was capable. One great shot after another, a highlight reel of super pool playing! It was an old fashioned shoot out, with four champion players performing at their peak. Just when I thought one guy had shut the door on his opponent, we would see some sensational response. This was a match for the ages! I sure would like to get my hands on this DVD. The crowd was beyond wild. It was in a frenzy, everyone screaming at once at the top of their lungs. It got so deafening in there, that I couldn't hear Anthony Suntay who was sitting next to me!

I've always felt like pool could get this kind of crowd reaction, but I've never witnessed it before. If anyone tells you that pool is not a spectator sport, they are dead wrong! Some day, with matches like this, we may see pool played in larger arenas with giant TV screens overhead so that spectators far away can follow the action.

I saw a different Dennis Orcullo then the one I've known for the last few years. He was fired up, he was explosive, he was a man possessed! He would slam Roberto on the back, exhorting him to get fired up too. I mean he really slugged him a couple of times, that's how badly he wanted to win in his homeland. He didn't just want to win a pool tournament, he wanted to electrify his nation. And he almost did. Dennis played great from beginning to end, making shot after shot when the pressure was on. What a marvelous player he is, simply delightful to watch. He was clearly the Captain of his team, giving directions to his crew of one.

It all worked in the amazing semifinal win against Taiwan, who had two great players in Ko and Chang. Ko Pin Yi is a young superstar who I expect to see win major championships by the bushel. He never cracked and never wavered in six days of intense competition. These two great teams battled right down to the wire, neither giving an inch. There were no losers in this match, just four great players!

The final was somewhat of an anti-climax, with the four players seemingly spent from all the earlier heroics. It was like they came back down to earth and showed us their human side. Multiple mistakes by both teams in the first few games set the tone for this match, with China getting the best of the rolls. By the time the score reached 5-1 for China, Team Philippines looked resigned to losing. They were out of gas, and Dennis quit trying to coach Roberto. He left him on his own at the table, to figure things out for himself. At 9-1 they mounted a small comeback and once again ignited the crowd, who were hoping for a miracle. But it was not to be, as they made one last error that allowed China to take the final game for a 10-5 victory. It was over, six days of great pool in the pool crazy country that is The Philippines. Feature stories daily in every newpaper, television coverage on every filipino TV station, LIVE national and international TV coverage of the matches for hours every day! And throngs of adoring spectators mobbing the pool players everywhere they went. Over here Ralf Souquet and Mika Immonen are superstars, and even a lowly TV commentator (yours truly) gets asked for autographs.

Now I get a few hours rest and it's off to Quezon City for the Predator Ten Ball. No rest for the wicked!
 
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jay helfert said:
To answer a couple of questions posed above - My dream team for the Philippines would have been Dennis and Lee Van, and yes Manila is the center of the pool universe imo. They've had several great events here in the last few years and the audiences keep getting bigger and better. It was estimated that 400 people jammed into the small arena last night with 1,500-2,000 more lining every inch of available space in the mall. Anywhere they could stand or sit to even get a glimpse of the players and the table.

The filipino pool fans are a knowledeable bunch, aware of what constitutes a good shot and what is merely good fortune. They will applaud well exectuted shots by opposing players, and when they cheer on a missed ball it is not derisive, but more a show of support for the home squad. What happened in Robinsons Place mall yesterday was unlike anything I have ever witnessed before. First of all the two semifinal matches were simply magnificent! Great displays of fantastic shooting under extreme pressure. Germany came back from a 6-1 deficit, running five racks in the process, to take a 7-6 lead and still lost the match. It was high drama all the way!

This was merely a warm up for what happened next. Two great teams (Taiwan and Philippines) performed almost beyond what I thought was capable. One great shot after another, a highlight reel of super pool playing! It was an old fashioned shoot out, with four champion players performing at their peak. Just when I thought one guy had shut the door on his opponent, we would see some sensational response. This was a match for the ages! I sure would like to get my hands on this DVD. The crowd was beyond wild. It was in a frenzy, everyone screaming at once at the top of their lungs. It got so deafening in there, that I couldn't hear Anthony Suntay who was sitting next to me!

I've always felt like pool could get this kind of crowd reaction, but I've never witnessed it before. If anyone tells you that pool is not a spectator sport, they are dead wrong! Some day, with matches like this, we may see pool played in larger arenas with giant TV screens overhead so that spectators far away can follow the action.

I saw a different Dennis Orcullo then the one I've known for the last few years. He was so fired up he was jumping through the roof. He would slam Roberto on the back to get him fired up too. I mean he really slugged him a couple of times, that's how badly he wanted to win in his homeland. Dennis was a man possessed! He didn't just want to win a pool tournament, he wanted to electrify his nation. And he almost did. Dennis played great from beginning to end, making shot after shot when the pressure was on. What a marvelous player he is, simply delightful to watch. He was clearly the Captain of his team, giving directions to his crew of one.

It all worked in the amazing semifinal win against Taiwan, who had two great players in Ko and Chang. Ko Pin Yi is a young superstar who I expect to see win major championships by the bushel. He never cracked and never wavered in six days of intense competition. These two great teams battled right down to the wire, neither giving an inch. There were no losers in this match, just four great players!

The final was somwhat of an anti climax, with the four players seemingly spent from all the earlier heroics. It was like they came back down to earth and showed up their human side. Mutliple mistakes by both teams in the first few games set the tone for this match, with China getting the best of the rolls. By the time the score reached 5-1 for China, Team Philippines looked resigned to losing. They were out of gas, and Dennis quit trying to coach Roberto. He left him on his own at the table to figure things out for himself. At 9-1 they mounted a small comeback and once again ignited the crowd, who were hoping for a miracle. But it was not to be, as they made the final error that allowed China to take the last game for a 10-5 victory. It was over, six days of great pool in the pool crazy country that is The Philippines. Feature stories daily in every newpaper, television coverage on every filipino TV station, LIVE national and international TV coverage of the matches for hours every day! And throngs of adoring spectators mobbing the pool players everywhere they go.
Click to expand...

I saw the semifinals - but couldn't really watch the finals - the connection was too slow - freezing up all the time - this can happen when too many people try to access the site at once.

But from what I did see Gomez was not playing well - which makes me wonder - how does the selection process work in the Phillipines?
Sure Gomez has talent - but what has he won? has he proven he can handle the pressure? I remember his loss to Darrell Peach in the finals 2007
- he really tightened up....it was obvious
 
gordml said:
I saw the semifinals - but couldn't really watch the finals - the connection was too slow - freezing up all the time - this can happen when too many people try to access the site at once.

But from what I did see Gomez was not playing well - which makes me wonder - how does the selection process work in the Phillipines?
Sure Gomez has talent - but what has he won? has he proven he can handle the pressure? I remember his loss to Darrell Peach in the finals 2007
- he really tightened up....it was obvious
Click to expand...

In fact I would have gone with Alex and Dennis. Alex has won just about every major tournament in the last 10 years. Don't you want people who have proven they can handle the pressure?
And from what Ive heard - and this includes golf and tennis - playing for your country has a lot more pressure to it than just playing for yourself!
 
imagine if the world cup will allow microphone on every player. man, that would be fun. the audience would just laugh whatever dennis was saying to gomez. it would also be funny hearing what bata would be saying to busta. the only problem i see is the strategies of each team will be heard by the audience but it is much more fun.
 
That would be good if you could make each team talk in English! Ha!


jaychi said:
imagine if the world cup will allow microphone on every player. man, that would be fun. the audience would just laugh whatever dennis was saying to gomez. it would also be funny hearing what bata would be saying to busta. the only problem i see is the strategies of each team will be heard by the audience but it is much more fun.
Click to expand...
 
That was an awful performance from Gomez, i thought he already conquered his pressure coz he did a splendid game on the semis,
it started with his miss of the 9 on the side coming from an excellent bank shot of the 8 by Dennis then followed by a miss on the 2 (if am not mistaken) which is not even close to the pocket...

Wow! i hate to say this but his a.k.a must be changed now... from Superman to Chokerman...:(:(:(
 
jay helfert said:
To answer a couple of questions posed above - My dream team for the Philippines would have been Dennis and Lee Van, and yes Manila is the center of the pool universe imo. They've had several great events here in the last few years and the audiences keep getting bigger and better. It was estimated that 400 people jammed into the small arena last night with 1,500-2,000 more lining every inch of available space in the mall. Anywhere they could stand or sit to even get a glimpse of the players and the table.

The filipino pool fans are a knowledgeable bunch, aware of what constitutes a good shot and what is merely good fortune. They will applaud well exectuted shots by opposing players, and when they cheer on a missed ball it is not derisively, but more a show of support for the home squad. What happened in Robinsons Place mall yesterday was unlike anything I have ever witnessed before. First of all the two semifinal matches were simply magnificent! Great displays of fantastic shooting under extreme pressure. Germany came back from a 6-1 deficit, running five racks in the process, to take a 7-6 lead and still lost the match. It was high drama all the way!

This was merely a warm up for what happened next. Two great teams (Taiwan and Philippines) performed almost beyond what I thought was capable. One great shot after another, a highlight reel of super pool playing! It was an old fashioned shoot out, with four champion players performing at their peak. Just when I thought one guy had shut the door on his opponent, we would see some sensational response. This was a match for the ages! I sure would like to get my hands on this DVD. The crowd was beyond wild. It was in a frenzy, everyone screaming at once at the top of their lungs. It got so deafening in there, that I couldn't hear Anthony Suntay who was sitting next to me!

I've always felt like pool could get this kind of crowd reaction, but I've never witnessed it before. If anyone tells you that pool is not a spectator sport, they are dead wrong! Some day, with matches like this, we may see pool played in larger arenas with giant TV screens overhead so that spectators far away can follow the action.

I saw a different Dennis Orcullo then the one I've known for the last few years. He was fired up, he was explosive, he was a man possessed! He would slam Roberto on the back, exhorting him to get fired up too. I mean he really slugged him a couple of times, that's how badly he wanted to win in his homeland. He didn't just want to win a pool tournament, he wanted to electrify his nation. And he almost did. Dennis played great from beginning to end, making shot after shot when the pressure was on. What a marvelous player he is, simply delightful to watch. He was clearly the Captain of his team, giving directions to his crew of one.

It all worked in the amazing semifinal win against Taiwan, who had two great players in Ko and Chang. Ko Pin Yi is a young superstar who I expect to see win major championships by the bushel. He never cracked and never wavered in six days of intense competition. These two great teams battled right down to the wire, neither giving an inch. There were no losers in this match, just four great players!

The final was somewhat of an anti-climax, with the four players seemingly spent from all the earlier heroics. It was like they came back down to earth and showed us their human side. Multiple mistakes by both teams in the first few games set the tone for this match, with China getting the best of the rolls. By the time the score reached 5-1 for China, Team Philippines looked resigned to losing. They were out of gas, and Dennis quit trying to coach Roberto. He left him on his own at the table, to figure things out for himself. At 9-1 they mounted a small comeback and once again ignited the crowd, who were hoping for a miracle. But it was not to be, as they made one last error that allowed China to take the final game for a 10-5 victory. It was over, six days of great pool in the pool crazy country that is The Philippines. Feature stories daily in every newpaper, television coverage on every filipino TV station, LIVE national and international TV coverage of the matches for hours every day! And throngs of adoring spectators mobbing the pool players everywhere they went. Over here Ralf Souquet and Mika Immonen are superstars, and even a lowly TV commentator (yours truly) gets asked for autographs.

Now I get a few hours rest and it's off to Quezon City for the Predator Ten Ball. No rest for the wicked!
Click to expand...

Sounds like you're having a killer time over there, brother. Thanks for keeping us all posted. I always love hearing the stories of the pool scene in the Philippines. I've been reading "Pool Wars" lately, and it's outstanding.
 
Yesterday we started the "Sweet Sixteen" at Star Billiards, the amazing pool center in Quezon City (the largest suburb of Manila). Star Billiards is the gift to filipino pool scene created by Sebastian Chua, a wealthy follower of the sport. It is located in his company compound (Star Paper) and any pool player can come in night or day for all the free pool they want, on about two dozen Brunswick Metro tables. Great tables, all well maintained by his staff. The balls are cleaned every morning! Plus he recently installed two Gold Crown V's. They streamed some of the matches yesterday played on these two tables.

Did I mention drinks and snacks are on the house all day? And if you're a promising young player you will probably get a free cue as well! A lot of young talent is being developed in Star Billiards. More good players will be coming out of the PI, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Chua. I doubt that any other country has anything to compare with Star Billiards. Remember, a lot of these kids are poor. They couldn't afford to play pool otherwise.

The Sweet Sixteen is the completion of the Predator event that had to be postponed last year in Spain. All good players remained and the Final Four are Rodney, David Alcaide, Lee Van and Neils. A pretty strong foursome! They will be playing today at SM Mall North Edsa on ESPN Star Asia for the championship and $14,000! It's been seven non-stop days of pool and we've got five more to go, as the Predator International Ten Ball kicks off tomorrow at SM Mall. It will also be televised on ESPN Star.

There is a question about which (if any) European players will play. They have been threatened with a suspension by the European Federation if they do, because there is a conflicting event in Switzerland. Of course that has never stopped the European Federation from scheduling their events on top of other tournaments worldwide. Something is wrong with this picture! Looks like a power grab to me. But what else is new in the world of pool. I am one promoter who quit producing events due to the petty politics of the pool world. All the various associations with their hand out looking for a piece of the action. And where are they to protect the players when a questionable promoter fails to fulfill their promises to the players (i.e. prize money)?

I have been intimately involved with the pool world for four decades and would love to see the sport (and its players) flourish, but I am doubtful it will ever happen until the many associations and governing bodies develop more altrusitic goals than lining their own pockets.
 
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Hi, Jay
I guess you were posting an update here when Blowfish and I met you at the lift lobby at Eurotel.
Finally I got to meet you and shake your hand! :grin:


Watching a world championship for pool in Manila is really a must for pool lovers. :)
The atmosphere was electric but somehow I do pity the local players as the expectations from the crowd were really high.

As what Jay said, the Philippine pool fans do look up a to the pool players, be it local or foreign.

Players like Ralf, Mika, Jung-Ling and Pin-Yi were very popular with the fans here as well and they were signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans almost non-stop after the pool action for the day was over.

Do keep us updated here.
I am subscribing to this thread for your updates from Manila. :)
 
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mrayntexas said:
Hey Jay is there any news on the 10 ball world championships in the Philippines this year? Dates?
Click to expand...


The rumor is that it will happen. I don't want to say too much about it yet. There are still unresolved issues from last year.
 
Jay

just wanted to correct you Jay, :) there are 41 tables in Starbilliards, where it is open from Monday to Sat from 3pm to 3am, it is open to anyone who knows how to play pool, well currently we screen players before they are allowed to play at starBilliards, but for foreigners there not more screening for them. well playing here is TOTALLY FREE, you heard it right it is FREE, as what Jay had mention before, food and drinks are on the house incase there are major tournaments around
 
LeeVann-1-1.jpg



The Predator Sweet 16 just concluded with
Lee Vann Corteza emerging as the champion!

Congratulations Slayer!


AnitoKid


P.S.

A congratulatory post for The Slayer, here, friends.
Many thanks for looking!



.
 
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