Who's the toughest kid out there?

[NaClBandit]

Although he lost in the IPT qualifier; in all fairness, that was really a very tough tournament. I think he should be commanded for travelling all the way from Taiwan to play in two of them. I am sure he has learned from those experience, which is important to make him a better player.


Richard

I had the pleasure of watching Wu battle back from 2-9 down (race to 10) against Japan's Go Takami in the Boston IPT qualifier. He rattled the case 8-ball, jacked up over one of Takami's colors, and eventually lost the match. He is fearless.

Coming of age can certainly change that though; youth and exuberance go a long way. Plus he'll be in everyone's crosshairs for the next _ _ years (depending on how he continues to perform).

I'm rooting for him though - great character in that one.

 

[hilla_hilla]

I've heard a lot of great things about Justin Bergman. I saw Austin Murphy play in Reno and he is really impressive. He even checked Dennis Orcullo's racks (which cracked me up). We have a lot of young kids in San Diego (out of On Cue Billiards) that are learning and doing real well. It's nice to see them progress in pool and do well in school at the same time.

 

[Thierry Layani]

Tough to say who the toughest "kid" is right now but I'll name a few that I've seen and heard about. John Morra is a beast. Probably the best I've seen for his age and he seems to have his head together. I've heard great things about Justin Bergman but he's a little older than John (I think). There are two kids that play out of Virginia Beach. I really like Chris Futrell. This is a kid who has the makings of a champion. I believe he's 15 or maybe 16 now, but his game is already awesome. He is very cool and composed at the table, much like Richard Blarney who someone mentioned in a previous post (by the way, I like Richard a lot too), and he handles his emotions well. When the Planet Pool comes to VA and Chris is in the field, there is nobody who's a heavy favorite over him. Even Mike Davis and McCready are only slight favorites. Another kid from the beach is Curtis Coleman. Curtis plays very strong as well. I haven't had the chance to see Curtis as much as Chris, but the rumor is that Curtis plays better for the $$$ and Chris is a better tournament player.

I saw John Morra the past weekend play in a pro event (stan james canadian tour). I've always been impressed by his level of play but now I'm completely mystified. At 15 years of age he did manage to beat Edwin Montal, one of the best canadian players in the west and after that he did beat Alex Pagulayan (the best player in the world in my opinion). He played a tremendous game running out tables you could only dream of. John is so concentrated and has such a good attitude that I don't see how he could not become a top player in the world. His game is just getting more perfect every time I see him play. He is just amazing.

Thierry Layani
www.layanicues.com

 

[The Hamster]

I saw John Morra the past weekend play in a pro event (stan james canadian tour). His game is just getting more perfect every time I see him play. He is just amazing.

It must be that magical Layani he plays with, Thierry... lol.

 

[Thierry Layani]

It must be that magical Layani he plays with, Thierry... lol.

I know he really likes his cue, but with that kind of talent there's no magical cue (at least not like yours... not that you don't have his talent... actually... never mind

 

[X Breaker]

That match between Wu and Goh was a heart breaker. Wu showed a lot of heart coming all the way back, but missed the key shot on the 8.

Goh Takami is another young great player who in my book, might become the best Japan has to offer.

Have any of you ever watched Wu Yu Lu from Taiwan play? He just won the Junior World Championship the second time, and he may be the first one who wins it three times if he wins this year.

Link to his break: http://xtremebilliard.com/Gallery10/alljapan2005/2005_1126Image0110

Richard

 

[alinco]

Josh Brothers will be 16 forever! He's about to celebrate his 5th anniversary of turning 16.

As mapman72 indicated, Chris Futrell from Virginia is one of the top up and comers in this area. I think he's 15 or maybe just turned 16 and always cashes in our Planet Pool events. He's beaten Mike Davis and come in 2nd to Keith McCready in the Virginia State Championship. He's got a bright future with strong family support.

Andy

 

[The Hamster]

I know he really likes his cue, but with that kind of talent there's no magical cue (at least not like yours... not that you don't have his talent... actually... never mind

Lol... if I'd started as young as John did, Thierry, I can assure you I'd be a much better pool player - but we do what we can with what we're given.

I've been through a dozen cues and that magical 'geometric' Layani is still my only playing cue.

 

[bandido]

I would love to hear more about this match. Thank you.

I think Wu has a better chance in 9 ball than in rotation against Dennis. Which game are they playing?

Richard

Wu is with his trainer here now but I guess they want to proceed systematically with Wu's training. They don't to have anything to do with the guys that are higher up in the ladder at this point so they are just targetting Gandi "YangYang" Valle. Unfortunately, Gandi's backer wants them to play at his "pit". A one-table (Brunswick Metro with 860 and 4" pockets) supposedly bar that has a loft for viewing the match from the 2nd floor. This is where the Filipino big guns play now, Bugsy's Lair. Wu only wants to play in Rack-n-Roll with its regulation pockets.

 

[Koop]

Mike Dechaine is a real strong shooter and I believe he is still under 17?

 

[X Breaker]

Wu is with his trainer here now but I guess they want to proceed systematically with Wu's training. They don't to have anything to do with the guys that are higher up in the ladder at this point so they are just targetting Gandi "YangYang" Valle. Unfortunately, Gandi's backer wants them to play at his "pit". A one-table (Brunswick Metro with 860 and 4" pockets) supposedly bar that has a loft for viewing the match from the 2nd floor. This is where the Filipino big guns play now, Bugsy's Lair. Wu only wants to play in Rack-n-Roll with its regulation pockets.

By Wu's trainer, are you refering to Mr. Chen, a young Asian gentleman?

So, I will take it that Wu did not play with Dennis?

I saw Gandi Valle played last year at the WPC, he is the short young guy with a very fancy cue with ivory points or something like that, right? I think he lost to Chen in the single knock out stage. I remember his big break.

With all due respect, I cannot understand why Wu would not want to match up with Gandi. Are the tables very strange at this pool hall, other than the pockets being small?

Thank you for the updates.

Richard

 

[bandido]

By Wu's trainer, are you refering to Mr. Chen, a young Asian gentleman?

So, I will take it that Wu did not play with Dennis?

I saw Gandi Valle played last year at the WPC, he is the short young guy with a very fancy cue with ivory points or something like that, right? I think he lost to Chen in the single knock out stage. I remember his big break.

With all due respect, I cannot understand why Wu would not want to match up with Gandi. Are the tables very strange at this pool hall, other than the pockets being small?

Thank you for the updates.

Richard

According to F. Punzalan, a rated pro-player that was here a while back, Wu and trainer left for Taiwan without ever getting to play any of the "name" payers. I really don't know why Wu wouldn't just headdown to Bugsy's Lair. If he came for a visit to increase his knowledge then he shouldn't insist on people to follow his rules. I have a hunch that the Taiwanese owners of Rack-n-Roll subsidized their trip for him to also be a come-on for their poolhall.

There's only one table in Bugsy's and it's the killing field. The table's perfect (check specs in previous post), the most accurate player wins and so far Efren and Dennis dominates.