Bumping it up for you Jay! :thumbup:
I really enjoy these stories! Hopefully I'll be able to make it out there one day!
On a side note, could someone tell me approximately how much it would cost for a decent quality pool cue in the PI?
The highlight from play at One Side was a Ten Ball match between Francisco B. and Chang Jung Lin of Taiwan. A race to fifteen for 40,000P. Django jumped out to a 11-4 lead only to see Chang come back to tie the match at 13-13. They went hill-hill and Chang won the deciding game. These guys from Taiwan can gamble too, with Yang still the money king in Asia.
Maybe I haven't seen enough of the Taiwanese players, but I would say what you're describing is more a European style. The Asian players seem to have a more fluid than mechanical style, IMO. The Taiwanese pro that lives near me seems anything but mechanical, but maybe he's more old school!That isn't that surprising. I would put Busty as only a slight favorite in that match up.
I know, you are in the know, Jay, but I think a lot of ppl aren't quite aware of some of the unknown killers in Taiwan. Most Taiwanese players tend to have a methodical, less flashy game. Everyone seems to play that style; big breaks, precise pocketing, tight cueball control and controlled strokes.
It aint flashy, but it definitely gets the job done.
Eric
Maybe I haven't seen enough of the Taiwanese players, but I would say what you're describing is more a European style. The Asian players seem to have a more fluid than mechanical style, IMO. The Taiwanese pro that lives near me seems anything but mechanical, but maybe he's more old school!![]()
I haven't been able to log on for two days. A problem with the computers heree I guess. I have been working on the TV shows doing commentary for Solar Sports. I worked last nights match between Team Phillinppines A and Team Indonesia. The place was absolutely jammed with maybe 2,000 people hanging from every nook and cranny of the mall. In all my years of pool, I have never witnessed a more raucous crowd. I mean they were absolutely going crazy screaming and cheering for Efren and Django. But I must say they were polite to the other side, being quiet while they were shooting.
Bata and Django are super celebs in the PI, as big as any sports star in America. Just as big as Manny P. Crowds line up hours in advance to get a glimpse of them and hopefully a spot where they can see them play. And I had the best seat in the house, high up on a platform overlooking the arena. The crowd screamed every time they made a ball, and I mean a deafening roar! I have never heard anything like it in all the years I've been working events. Alas the heroes made too many errors (weak position play, missed balls and poor safeties) and Indonesia took advantage each time. Ricky Yang is a seasoned player and champion (he won the Philippine Ten Ball last year beating Jeff De Luna in the finals). It was his partner Mohammed Zulfrekti that surprised me with his solid play. He was right on with his shotmaking and position play, and made the difference in this match, coming up big shot after shot.
It was a very disheartening loss that sent 2,000 filipinos home with long faces. But they will return next week to cheer their heros on once again. I was most impressed with the play of Team Taiwan. Ko and Chang played a perfect match, not missing one ball in defeating a strong Japanese duo. Team USA meanwhile had their hands full with Sweden and just managed to squeak by 8-7. I still like thier chances though. Johnny and Rodney are a good team with lots of experience playing doubles. I also like the Philippines B squad of Orcullo and Gomez. I favored them from day one over the A team. Team China is another tough pairing to look out for.
Team Austria got knocked out (by France) and I was sorry to see Jasmin go. Her partner was young (17) Mario He and he is going to be a good one. Very solid and composed, I expect to see a lot more of him in the future.
A little good news for DCC fans. Looks like we may be seeing Roberto Gomez and Carlos Biado for the first time there. Carlos is all the rage here, the next big thing! We will see. Gotta run now. I will be working the first matches at Noon today.
Ah, they seem pretty close to me! I guess when you said "controlled stroke" I read in "mechanical" for some reason.Methodical (not mechanical), there is a difference.
I'm guessing you are referring to Jui Lung? He plays quick, but not flashy i.e. excessive stroke/arm movement, etc.
Eric
First nite(9/9), I was picked up from the airport by my good friend. Went to check-in and go straight to Oneside. Saw Jason Klatt playing a filipino a10-ball match. Jason was ahead most times, but lost at the end. John Morra was also playing with another pinoy and that match went hill-hill with John lossing. Efren was also in the house playing a couple of Japanese players giving the stone cold nuts in rotation, but lost both matches. He was really having a bad day (this was the nite he and Django lost to Indonesia). The big match for the day was (as Jay mentioned it) Django against Chang Jung-lin for Php40K 10-Ball Race to 15 that went Hill-Hill. Met Sarah Rousey who was talking to Rubilen Amit opposite my table. Met Jeff De Luna and his ever lovely wife. Oneside was packed with Pool players from around the world... Ko Pin Yi, Li He-Wen, Fu Jen-Bo, Alcade and Ruis of Team Spain and many more sweating the Django-vs-Chang match.
Sarah with Rubilen and a friend... See the background, everyone was sweating that match between Efren and Chang. This was pass 2am...
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9/10 - Finally, I carried myself to WCOP venue. The place was jam packed. Team England-vs-Team France on the battle field. Met up with Joyren Ting and went to Holy Cow Resto(besides the WCOP Arena) for my late lunch. I was so hungry. It was something like 2:30pm. Lo and behold, Ralf Souquet was having lunch with Biboy Soriano and his family and Chito Ines with his family too. Man, even pool is a family affair here. After lunch, we all went into the WCOP Arena for the 2nd and last session.
I met up with Jay. He was very exhausted from the England-vs-France match that just finished. As he described it, it was like working 2 matches. When I arrived, the score was something like 3-5 France. That was an hour and a half ago.
Today(9/11) - Just woke up and had breakfast. Saw Jay down at the hotel lobby. Didn't bother him as I was about to finish and head out with my son. 2 Sessions by 2 games will be played today. The match to watch will be Phil B -vs- Finland.
A good cue can be had for $100-200.
Action report first. The highlight from play at One Side was a Ten Ball match between Francisco B. and Chang Jung Lin of Taiwan. A race to fifteen for 40,000P. Django jumped out to a 11-4 lead only to see Chang come back to tie the match at 13-13. They went hill-hill and Chang won the deciding game. These guys from Taiwan can gamble too, with Yang still the money king in Asia.
In the World Cup, the USA lost out to a resilent Polish squad of the veteran Babica and his young partner Skoneczy. It was the youngster who shined here, firing in balls from all over the table. It was not so much a case of the USA playing bad (they came back from 4-7 to go hill-hill) as Poland playing good under pressure. Archer did miss a key four ball in the case game.
Germany and Taiwan continued their stellar play, cruising into the Quaterfinals. Both these teams have a nice flow and rhythm to their play, and they operate like well oiled machines. The PI 'B' team of Orcollo and Gomez also looks sharp and they will be tough to beat. Finland's Mika I. and Markus J. are playing well and dominanted a good Holland squad yesterday as well.
England (Peach and Boyes) is out, after playing horrible in a match against France. This was the second day in a row I watched England struggle. They barely escaped a mediocre Qatar team 8-7 in round one. The match with France was one of the ugliest I've ever witnessed (and commentated on). Many missed balls by both teams, and error after error in position and safety play. It went on and on, taking nearly two and half hours to play a race to eight! With a 35 second shot clock no less! It got so bad that Peach elected to play safe on a relatively easy cut shot. I've never seen anything like it before. Both teams went brain dead! I think all pool players have had days when their mind goes blank and it's like you forget how to play. That's what happened here on world wide television. The best thing for these two teams is that this show never airs again. Yes, it was that bad!
wow what a nice game to watch there at one side, soory to hear about the England match, i was there too, just kind of weird why shots decision were like that hehehe
i sadly can't go to one side simply becoz i hate the smoke, it simply irritates my eyes and would have some problems for second hand smokers, well by simply staying for 5 mins there, just go out and you will smell like shit
Blowfish, who were Klatt and Morra playing and what was the spot, if there was any?
Hey Jay!
Sounds like fun - wish I was there - so is there any sign of Alex or Warren Kiamco?