Well said and a classy and humble thing to say for the reigning world pool champion as he prepares to try to defend. Nonetheless, there's no real need for humility here, as all one can do is beat the opponents with whom one is presented.Honest comments by Albin
“To win it again or come close with such a top field, it would be special. It’s even sweeter when you win with all the greats in the tournament” -So he is saying if he wins this year (which has much stronger field than last year), it’s even sweeter than the win last year?
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Albin answered the call a year ago against a rock-solid field, and that's all I'm going to remember. Yes, the Asians weren't present last year, other than a few of them (such as Oi and Gomez), but they are here this year and will present some stiff competition.
That said, at the International 9-ball in October, the last four standing were SVB, Aranas, Orcullo and Albin, whose play was well above the other three down the stretch, so we know that Albin has the ability to prevail no matter who stands in his way.
Wishing this classy man and classy player the best of luck as he attempts the nearly impossible, namely defending the world pool championship. Nobody has won this event twice in a row in over 30 years (Strickland, 1990 and 1991).