I don't think Ralf plays that slow anymore. He assesses the shot as long as he needs to and than plays it. If he has mapped out the runout and the cueball goes where he wants it to on each shot his play pace is quite brisk. He doesn't sprint but he doesn't agonize over simple shots either like some players do.
Your man in Manila
- Thread starter jay helfert
- Start date
Your man in Manila----THREAD OF THE YEAR AWARD
My God Jay, you have really put a package together with this thread. UNBELIEVABLE, GREAT REPORTING, POOL, ACTION, LOVELIES, COMMENTATING INSIGHTS, POOL, FUN, ACTION, POOL, PORCELAIN PRINCESSES, POOL. This thread will definitely win THE ANNUAL THREAD OF THE YEAR AWARD.
Way to go. Finish with a flurry on the final match with all of your insight for us online sweaters. Thanks again.
Oh yeah I forgot to give you your rep points. Nice job!
JoeyA
jay helfert said:
My God Jay, you have really put a package together with this thread. UNBELIEVABLE, GREAT REPORTING, POOL, ACTION, LOVELIES, COMMENTATING INSIGHTS, POOL, FUN, ACTION, POOL, PORCELAIN PRINCESSES, POOL. This thread will definitely win THE ANNUAL THREAD OF THE YEAR AWARD.
Way to go. Finish with a flurry on the final match with all of your insight for us online sweaters. Thanks again.
Oh yeah I forgot to give you your rep points. Nice job!
JoeyA
what action
Hi Jay....Thanks for the reporting.....It's pretty awesome that they are playing for 6K sets in a country where the dollar goes so far....you DO mean 6K in US dollars, don't you? I don't see too many US champions gambling here....did they just hop on a plane and go home? I did notice you said Bob Hunter was gambling a little....
jay helfert said:
Hi Jay....Thanks for the reporting.....It's pretty awesome that they are playing for 6K sets in a country where the dollar goes so far....you DO mean 6K in US dollars, don't you? I don't see too many US champions gambling here....did they just hop on a plane and go home? I did notice you said Bob Hunter was gambling a little....
wahcheck said:
Yes, 6K in US dollars, $3,000 each. The Americans have been scarce, with only Bob H. in action every night with the filipino shortstops. Tang has played cheap sets off and on. Corey is the only one willing to gamble high with the big boys. He actually beat Orcullo a set of Eight Ball for 2K (stateside).
Some of the Europeans are here nightly too, playing cheap sets. Only the Chinese twosome of Kuo and Yang seem willing to bet it up with the Filipino big guns. Kuo especially likes big money games. Everyone seems wary of Yang, even the filipinos. He is a much respected money player. Only Dennis is willing to tangle with him, and Yang leaves him alone now. It is lonely on top.
Archer never showed his face here. Efren, Alex, Busty, Ramil and Ronnie, and Dennis of course are quite willing to play big money games with almost anyone. Ronnie has been in action the most, but he has an appt. with Ralf today.
Heading that way now.
You walk down Mabini street and they are standing outside every club. One doll after another. They all say Hello Sir as you pass by. And in the LA Cafe there must be a 100 girls every night, all looking for a date with a Western man. One night fee, about 2,500 pesos or $50.wahcheck said:
It is a single man's heaven. Maybe why we haven't seen much of Mika or Corey. Mika has a harem over here and Corey can take his pick of a litter of lovelies that follow his every move around the tournament area.
Oh to be young and famous, and handsome. A single pool player could do worse than move to Manila. You can live here on peanuts. You see many western men walking around with young beautiful girlfriends here.
Gotta go to work.
wahcheck said:
A picture wouldn't do justice. I have to leave this lovely country tomorrow. Look forward to my return next year.
By now you know this story had a storybook ending. Ronnie Alcano, the last man in the draw took it down. He won convincingly over a great champion Ralf Souquet. The difference was Ronnie's soft breaks were working and Ralf's hard break wasn't. Ronnie always seemed to have a shot in the side on the One Ball.
Ralf's touch was a little off too. He was a little long or a little short on many shots. It was the most emotional award ceremony I ever saw. The filipinos going crazy for Ronnie, and Ralf near tears. In fact he began to cry during his interview, and the crowd began to chant Souquet, Souquet. It was beautiful and emotional. I loved it.
This country is in a frenzy over R.A. right now. He will probably meet the President, and definitely be on the front page of every newspaper. I heard he is in for a 50K bonus from the government. Sweet. He is truly a national hero right now. There may be a parade for him. Just another filipino kid that loves to shoot pool.
Congrats to Mike Zuglan and his Joss Tour. Those events toughtened Ronnie up. He never stuttered in the final (or anywhere else for that matter). He went for all the shots and executed flawlessly. IMPRESSIVE!!! A deserving champion and a great climax to this years WPC.
If this country was pool crazy before, it will be even more so now. Now all eyes are on Ronnie's benefactor Manny Paquieno, who fights for the title next week. Manny called Ronnie every day and congratulated him on each win. He must be so proud of his countryman. I look for Manny to kick butt too against Morales.
There is a big victory celebration going on, but I must rest up and get ready to hit the road early in the AM. Hope you all have enjoyed this glimpse at the WPC and the Philipines. I'm homeward bound.
http://boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=6129Chups said:Who's Manny Pacquiao?
wahcheck said:
Depending on the season, airfare from LAX-MNL can go for as low as US$750 to US$1100. Hotels range from US$40-225/day.
As a conclusion to my contribution to this thread, it was a pleasure to have shared this great event with all that attended. Short but good time with Jay, Mark Griffin, Joe Gonzales and Bobby Hunter. Maybe next time we won't be as busy with our other chores Jay. I'm looking forward to seeing all the players that have expressed intention to return in a few weeks to spend some time here to hone their skills and visit and enjoy the other parts of the city and country. It will be a great time to stay here as the pool boom is starting again. How can I tell? My phone is ringing off the hook for cue inquiries and invites to play!
bandido said:
That's good to hear, bandido! you certainly deserve the coming pool boom. you've made valuable contributions to the sport! i'm just sorry i wasn't able to attend any of the matches live or meet anyone as i was, uh, indisposed. well, maybe nexty year.....
Hi Jay,
Nice meeting you and Mark Griffin. Sorry if I didn't talk as much, was feeling bad that day and felt I was going to go down with the flu.
Finally, its over. And I can rest.
Anyway, I was reading through your posts. Had a good laugh.
Didn't know about the Corey "Long Dong" remark. I'll try to catch it on the replays.
Too bad we never had the time to go around to One Side during the WPC.
Some info on the characters you mentioned in your stories:
Jimmy "Baba" Ching - about Luat's age. He took a year off the game before returning to the fray for the Philippine National Championships placing a decent 12th.
Jarry "Two-Finger" Pelayo - Decent player who lost his ring and index finger on his right hand while playing with firecrackers during New Year's (that's the story I heard). He's being backed by Corteza's manager, who is a fellow provincemate from Bacolod.
I'll try to make it to Derby City and see you there. I'll try getting my bankroll ready to play some serious poker there.
Nice meeting you and Mark Griffin. Sorry if I didn't talk as much, was feeling bad that day and felt I was going to go down with the flu.
Finally, its over. And I can rest.
Anyway, I was reading through your posts. Had a good laugh.
Didn't know about the Corey "Long Dong" remark. I'll try to catch it on the replays.
Too bad we never had the time to go around to One Side during the WPC.
Some info on the characters you mentioned in your stories:
Jimmy "Baba" Ching - about Luat's age. He took a year off the game before returning to the fray for the Philippine National Championships placing a decent 12th.
Jarry "Two-Finger" Pelayo - Decent player who lost his ring and index finger on his right hand while playing with firecrackers during New Year's (that's the story I heard). He's being backed by Corteza's manager, who is a fellow provincemate from Bacolod.
I'll try to make it to Derby City and see you there. I'll try getting my bankroll ready to play some serious poker there.
kaduku
Member
Cuycuy, I'm wondering if you could refresh my memory. One time I went to PBAM (when it was still there) and saw the Bacolod stakehorse backing up a whole bunch of players there. I remember one particular player who was nicknamed "Abu Sayyaf" because he was a Filipino Muslim was playing Warren Kiamco. What was his real name?