Tiger Products, a manufacturer of fine pool and billiard products, announces their sponsorship of WPBA pro pool player Cristina De La Garza. “I am extremely happy that we have teamed up with Cristina to promote the Tiger® brand. She is very professional & classy woman player who will be a great representative for us and for the game of pool. We have lot of new stuff in works and look forward to working with her for the years to come,” said president of Tiger Products, Inc., Tony Kalamdaryan.

DeLaGarza, 2009 National BCA 8-ball Champion, recently took a year off from competition while she was on maternity leave. She has relocated to Zurich, Switzerland with her son and boyfriend, Swiss Champion Marco Tschudi, and will return to competition in 2012 beginning with the Paris Open in January. The pair will plan and promote events in their region of Europe throughout 2012 and 2013 and have teamed up with Tiger Products for sponsorship of these events. Additionally, DeLaGarza will represent Tiger Products at upcoming billiard events in the U.S. and Europe.

DeLaGarza, 2009 National BCA 8-ball Champion, recently took a year off from competition while she was on maternity leave.

“Tiger makes great quality products and I am excited to be working with them. The popularity of their products is growing across the globe so I look forward to helping promote Tiger both in the United States and my new home in Europe, “ said DeLaGarza. Born in Austin, Texas, Cristina turned pro in November 2008. In addition to her career as a player, she is a recognized writer/reporter and presenter and has worked with top promoters in the industry including Matchroom Sports, American Poolplayers Association, Kozoom, Dragon Promotions and InsidePOOL Magazine.

About Tiger Products, Inc.
Tiger Products, Inc. is a recognized name in the industry, proudly manufacturing pool and billiards products made in the USA. Tiger began with laminated cue tips and now offers a variety of products including cues, shafts and multiple accessories. For more information about Tiger Products, Inc. visit www.tigerproducts.com.

Jasmin Ouschan from Austria clinched her first World Championship from Korea superstar Ga Young Kim last year

Manila, Philippines- Only a week away till the awaited return of the extremely popular Yalin Women’s World 10-Ball Championship. The 2011 edition will take place November 2-6 at Robinson’s Galleria with Stage 1 Qualifiers at Star Billiards Manila on October 31-November 2. Robinson’s Galleria is connected to the host hotel Crowne Plaza Galleria. An elite world class pros only field of 48 international superstars of the world’s greatest women’s players will attend the event to become the World Champion of 10-Ball. This year’s event is again title sponsored by Yalin Tables, one of the premier billiard table manufacturers of the world.

Players in attendance include super stars World Champion Allison Fisher (ENG), World Champion Ga Young Kim(KOR), China’s #1 Siming Chen, Korea’s newest sensation Erica Eunji Park, Amway Cup winner Yu Ram Cha (KOR), former World Champion Rubilen Amit(PHI) and the Defending World 10-Ball Champion Jasmin Ouschan of Austria.

Rubilen Amit is greeted by the former President of the Philippines Gloria Arroyo after winning the first Women’s World 10-Ball Championship.

The Yalin Women’s World 10-Ball Championship is additionally sponsored by ABS-CBN Sports, Robinson’s Galleria, Predator Cues, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Top147.com, Simonis Cloth, Aramith Balls, Magic 89.9, and Crown Plaza Galleria Ortigas. The event will be airing on ABS-CBN and internationally on ESPN Star Sports. The event will be broadcasted live for all five days of the main event with 25 hours of broadcast television coverage. Stories, complete info and updates will be on www.WomensWorld10Ball.com .
With these global network and media partners the Yalin Women’s World 10-Ball Championship is still the biggest and most watched women’s billiard event in the world.

“Yalin is happy to help promote women’s pool and give the player’s the attention and status they deserve. The event is growing and we will continue our cooperation with Dragon Promotions in producing world renown events on the best tables we can make,” said Eric Ding, President of Yalin Billiards.

Only a week away till the awaited return of the extremely popular Yalin Women's World 10-Ball Championship. The 2011 edition will take place November 2-6 at Robinson's Galleria with Stage 1 Qualifiers at Star Billiards Manila on October 31-November 2.

“This is one of the most exciting tournaments of the year. The atmosphere of the Yalin World Championship is truly electric. Yalin and their team are great sponsors and care about the players and always go above and beyond to help them and the sport. Eric Ding and his team have a great image and relationship with players, and the pros love Yalin because of that”, said Cindy Lee, CEO of Dragon Promotions.

“The Yalin Women’s World 10-Ball Championship is the pinnacle event of the year for women’s pool. It’s the hardest game and the skill level to play it surpasses 9-Ball. With the round robin format, long races, and tough,world class rules the winner of the World 10-Ball is truly the best women’s player in the world “, said top men’s pro Charlie Williams.

The Yalin Women’s World 10-Ball is one of the most coveted titles in women’s pool. Predator supports the event for the 3rd year in a row

Reserve your room under the special Dragon Promotions rates at Crowne Plaza in Ortigas ,Manila-Philippines. Reserve online : http://tinyurl.com/2011-WTBC
or email to ruby.quiroz@ihg.com, phone – 632 6337222 . World class breakfast buffet, gym, swimming pool, and free unlimited internet included in group rate only.

For more info email womensworld10ball@gmail.com and Stage 1 entry info Location : Star Billiards in Manila, Philippines . contact ttk@starpaper.com.ph for direct Read more ...]]> http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/2011-yalin-women%e2%80%99s-world-10-ball-championship.html/feed 0 http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/appleton-to-the-fore-as-mosconi-team-europe-named.html http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/appleton-to-the-fore-as-mosconi-team-europe-named.html#comments Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:37:33 +0000 Pool and Billiards News http://www.insidepoolmag.com/?p=16500 2011 European Mosconi Cup Rankings Latest

Appleton to the fore as Team Europe named

Darren Appleton‘s second successive US Open title – only the third man in history to successfully defend the biggest title in American pool – saw him move to second spot in the final European rankings and secure a second successive PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup appearance.

He will be joined by countryman Chris Melling who has enjoyed a fabulous season, with 14 times Mosconi Cup veteran Ralf Souquet (Germany) claiming the third automatic spot. The remaining two “wild card’ spots go to the Dutch duo of Nick Van Den Berg and Niels Feijen, who have ten Mosconi Cup appearances between them.

Following a 13 event series over 12 months taking in 12 different countries around the world, the top five players in the ranking will now reconvene at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to defend the title they won so well in London last year.

World 10 Ball champion Huidji See gave Feijen a run for his money but came up just six points short as The Terminator’s 17th place finish in Chesapeake saw him over the line.

There are two changes from last year’s victorious side – Melling comes in for Karl Boyes, while Feijen replaces Mika Immonen. The team will once again be captained by Dutchman Johan Ruijsink.

The PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup is the annual Europe v America pool showdown. In existence since 1994, the event features two five-man teams doing battle in a series of singles and doubles matches over four days of compelling action.

The second successive US Open title for Appleton – only the third man in history to successfully defend the biggest title in American pool – saw him move to second spot in the final European rankings and secure a second successive PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup appearance.

The Ranking (Top 15)

1. Chris Melling (GBR) 122

2. Darren Appleton (GBR) 111

3. Ralf Souquet (GER) 94

4. Nick Van Den Berg (NED) 80

5. Niels Feijen (NED) 78

6. Huidji See (NED) 72

7. Daryl Peach (GBR) 69

8. Mark Gray (ENG) 58

9. David Alcaide (ESP) 48

10. Jayson Shaw (SCO) 47

11. Konstantin Stepanov (RUS) 45

12. Serge Das 40

12. Oliver Ortmann (GER) 40

14. Carlo Dalmatin (CRO) 38

15. Dimitri Jungo (GER) 35

Tickets for the Mosconi Cup are priced at $35 per day or $120 for the four day season passes and booking charges will apply.

Currently the Mosconi Cup is sold through Ticketmaster (1-800-745-3000) or MGM Resorts Contact Center (1-866-740-7711).

Visit www.ticketmaster.com and search “Mosconi Cup”

by InsidePOOL Staff

Many fine players were eliminated from the 36th U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships Friday, with only the top 6 returning Saturday to collect their piece of the $175,000 prize purse. Defending champion Darren Appleton will face off with former champ Alex Pagulayan in the hot seat at 1 p.m., while Shawn Putnam and Dennis Hatch will go head to head in the quarterfinal match.

Appleton sent Johnny Archer west in a tight 11-9 match and then went on to face down Putnam 11-7 to reach the hot seat match. In the bottom bracket, Pagulayan breezed through reigning 10-ball champion Huidji See of the Netherlands 11-3 to face Larry “The Truth” Nevel, who had just bested Japan’s Kenichi Uchigaki 11-9. Pagulayan held the lead in his match with Nevel, who, down 9-5, missed a bank shot on the 6 ball and stabbed the floor with his cue, smashing the shaft. Pagulayan reached the hill after that rack, and though Nevel put another couple racks under his belt, after a failed attempt at a bank in the last rack, Pagulayan ran out for the 11-7 win.

Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour regular Hatch was taking care of business on the west side of the chart, routing Johnny Archer and sending him home in ninth place. Their score was tied 4-all when Archer allowed Hatch to the table and never saw it again, as Hatch ran the set out to win 11-4. Hatch then turned Filipino champ Warren Kiamco’s lights out in the following round, eliminating him 11-5.

Live real time scoring is being provided by ProPool.com and are being displayed at Inside POOL TV.

Many fine players were eliminated from the 36th U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships Friday, with only the top 6 returning Saturday to collect their piece of the $175,000 prize purse.

After his winners’ side match loss, Nevel went on to face Hatch, with “The Hatchetman” dominating completely. Up 9-3, Hatch pushed out after his break, and Nevel took a swing at the 1 ball and scratched, handing Hatch the hill and then forfeiting the next rack to hand the match to Hatch 11-3.

2011 U.S. Open 9-Ball Final 8 Player Tournament Brackets
2011 U.S. Open 9-Ball Tournament Brackets
Day 1 Results
Day 2 Results
Day 3 Results
Day 4 Results
Day 5 Results

Putnam defeated reigning world 9-ball champion Yukio Akagariyama 11-9 only to be sent west by Appleton 11-7. From there he held a 10-4 lead over See, who attempted a comeback and won the next four racks, but Putnam shut him down 11-7 to return Saturday.

Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news in the sport of billiards and pool.

by InsidePOOL Staff

More players have been ousted at the 36th U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships as the elimination rounds have continued Wednesday, while the 64 undefeated players remaining will be halved to 32 after Wednesday evening’s rounds.

Allen Hopkins, who took this event in 1977 and 1981, suffered a first-round loss to the formidable Lee Vann Corteza but recovered nicely, eliminating Jonathan Demet 11-9 and then former world 9-ball champion Thorsten Hohmann 11-8. Hopkins’ next opponent will be Brian Brekke.

Young gun Shane Jackson took out Jose Parica, a.k.a. “The Leader of the Filipino Invasion,” in the elimination round Wednesday afternoon. The score was close all through the match, but he ultimately pulled ahead to win it 11-9.

Deuel is still alive after his first-round loss to Li Wen Lo. Deuel routed Aradhana Naik 11-1 and then bested Robert Hart 11-5 to face Steve Lillis in the next round.

Another former champion of this event, Corey Deuel is still alive after his first-round loss to Li Wen Lo. Deuel routed Aradhana Naik 11-1 and then bested Robert Hart 11-5 to face Steve Lillis in the next round.

Eric Hjorliefson ousted New York’s Frankie Hernandez in the afternoon round 11-3, as fellow Canadian John Morra, who was bested in the first round by Shaun “Get Some” Wilkie 11-6, went on to send home Mike Davis 11-5 and then Jimmy Garza 11-4.

There are some tough winners’ matches to call coming up. Shane Van Boening, the 2007 champion, will face off against India’s Raj “The Hitman” Hundal, while another exciting match-up will be between five-time champion Earl Strickland and Donny Mills.

The live scoring will be provided by ProPool.com and posted at Inside POOL TV Live U.S. Open Scoring and the tournament brackets will be updated continuously and posted at:

U.S. Open 9-Ball Tournament Bracket 1

Ralf Souquet, who narrowly escaped a defeat at the hands of Wilkie in the previous round, will face Bill Duggan, who just eked out an 11-10 win over Jerry Tarantola. Reigning world 9-ball champion Yukio Akagariyama will play England’s Tony Crosby, and fellow Japanese player Kenichi Uchigaki plays Kevin Bailey.

Defending champion Darren Appleton will play Juan Carlos Esposito, while fellow Brits Karl Boyes and Mark Gray will match up. Closer to home, U.S. player Mike Dechaine will play Larry “The Truth” Nevel, as Shawn Putnam and B.J. Ussery will face each other.

Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news in the sport of billiards and pool.

by InsidePOOL Staff

The 36th installment of the prestigious U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships kicked off in Chesapeake, VA, October 16 at the Chesapeake Conference Center, where 251 players converged to vie for their share of the $50,000-added prize purse.

Past champions in attendance include Allen Hopkins, Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, Ralf Souquet, Shane Van Boening, Mike Lebron, Gabe Owen, Alex Pagulayan, Nick Varner, and Tommy Kennedy.

Champion in 2001, Corey Deuel suffered a surprising first-round loss to Li Wen Lo 11-8, so if he intends to reclaim the title, he will have to do so from the one-loss side as he did in 2001.

Reigning champion Darren Appleton scored a bye in the first round and will play Robert Hart, who went double-hill with Mike Badstuebner and won, in the next round.

Japan is well-represented in this event, with top players such as Toru Kuribayashi, Kengo Matsumoto, Naoyuki Oi, and reigning world 9-ball champion Yukio Akagariyama. Kenichi Uchigaki won his first-round match over Tommy Kennedy 11-9 and will advance to play Harvey Shognosh in the next round.

Appleton is always a major threat to snap off a big event.

The live scoring will be posted at Inside POOL TV Live U.S. Open Scoringand the tournament brackets will be updated continuously and posted at:

U.S. Open 9-Ball Tournament Bracket 1

U.S. Open 9-Ball Tournament Bracket 2

England also has a strong contingent at this year’s Open. In addition to Appleton, Chris Melling, the reigning China Open champion is here, as well as former world 9-ball champ Daryl Peach, Karl Boyes, Jason Shaw, and Mark Gray.

The Filipino factor seems to be less this year—former champ Alex Pagulayan is here, as is Antonio Gabica, Antonio Lining, and Lee Vann Corteza.

Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news in the sport of billiards and pool.

Manila, Philippines- Can the European wave of wins be stopped? That will be the big question this week in Manila at The 11th Annual Predator International Championships produced by Dragon Promotions. The past two Predator Championships were both won by Filipinos (Orcullo, Reyes) but recently Europe has been dominating events in Asia and America. A world class ensemble of pro pool players will vie in singles combat September 14-18th, 2011 at the Robinson’s Galleria next to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Players from around the world will be fighting hard to win one of the longest running and prestigious titles in pool.

” I’m really looking forward to the Predator Championships. Unfortunately I was unable to play last year, but I believe this year we have a strong European line up so that gives us a good chance”, says Darren Appleton of The United Kingdom, who is the current reigning US Open Champion. ” I believe the Europeans are the guys to beat in tournament play, as we have pretty much dominated the last 3-4 years. Even my own game is in good shape recently, and I feel am due a big win after so many close finishes this year in the big tournaments so hopefully it’s my time. Predator always put on great events with Dragon Promotions. And with it being 10Ball, it’s definitely the players game. Nobody wants to miss out on the tournament, and it will be a world championships standard field. The ultimate winner will need to beat many champions along the way.”

Predator world class players include US Open Champion Darren Appleton, Interpool Champ Raj Hundal, Poison Pro Classic Champion Charlie Williams, World 8-Ball Champ Dennis Orcullo, World 10-Ball Champion Jasmin Ouschan, Former World 9-Ball Champion Ronnie Alcano, Hall of Famer Ralf Souquet, China Open Champ Chris Melling, World 14.1 Champ Stephan Cohen, Asian Champ Lee Van Corteza, World 14.1 Bronze Medalist Max Eberle, European Champ David Alcaide, Former Predator Championship Winner Tony Drago, and Reigning Predator Champion Efren Reyes!

Appleton is always a major threat to snap off a big event.

Women’s World 10-Ball Champion Jasmin Ouschan was asked about her chances to win the event.

“Well I haven´t played that many men events in the past months so right now I am not thinking about winning the whole event other than focusing on my performance and one match at the time. After the event I am going to the Womens World 9-Ball Championship so I also want to use this event to get in shape, to find my game and rhythm.”

Will the Europeans win?

“I believe the Europeans are very strong and they can always win events like that but in the end the only thing that matters is who brings the best performance.”

Who is the hottest player now from Europe and the overall favorite of the event?

“I think Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann seem to be in a good shape right now since they won the last two big events, but the Philippines players are always dangerous as well. I think the Predator Championships stands for quality. All the players know how popular billiards is in the Philippines and it is always great to play tournaments in such a billiard loving country”, ended Ouschan in the interview.

World 10-Ball Champion Huidji See predicts a possible Dutch victory….

“I feel confident in 10Ball and if I can get my break working for this tournament, I can do some real damage. I think my chances are as good as anybodys. The Read more ...]]> http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/europeans-eager-to-regain-predator-championship.html/feed 0 http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/additional-pros-not-attending-us-open.html http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/additional-pros-not-attending-us-open.html#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:19:39 +0000 Pool and Billiards News http://www.insidepoolmag.com/?p=16094 Additional Pros Not Attending US Open

ABP Asks to Secure Funds

From the Law Offices of Dennis M. Walsh, ABP General Counsel Attorney

The ABP would like to address some of the issues that have surfaced during the recent negotiations with Barry Behrman. We would have preferred to keep the negotiations private but some of the issues raised by Barry Behrman are somewhat misleading and need to be addressed.

First we need to address Mr. Behrman’s statement that the players listed in the original press release had been “blindsided” and did not support the ABP’s stance. To date, only one ABP pro member has changed their mind and has requested that their name be deleted. In fact, Darren Appleton, the defending US Open 9-Ball champion, contrary to statements made by Mr. Behrman has indicated that he still supports our position. In addition, more professional players have joined the ABP’s initiative to not attend the US Open 9-Ball Championship in the effort to provide financial security for all players worldwide. Notable players to be added include Niels Feijen of the Netherlands, and BCA Open Champion Tony Robles of the USA . The updated complete list of names follows at the bottom of this release.

To date, only one ABP pro member has changed their mind and has requested that their name be deleted.

The ABP has made it clear for more than a year that it wanted Barry Behrman to make sure that he would be able to pay the players the promised prizes at the conclusion of The US Open Nine Ball Tournament. Last year, after repeated promises by Mr. Behrman that he would pay everyone on time, the ABP relented and attended the event. However, as has happened in previous years, not all of the players were paid as promised. In fact, it was much later that the players were finally paid. In 2007, Shane Van Boening did not receive all his prize money until seven months after his win; in 2008 and 2009 Mika Immonen did not receive all his money until nine months after his wins; in 2010 Darren Appleton did not receive all his money until three months after his win.

Since then, Mr.Behrman promoted another event in March of 2011, the Masters 10-Ball for which he advertised a prize fund of $35,000 added. He reduced the added money by $5000, just before the event. At the start of the first day, he further reduced the added money another $5000. After the event ended, Mr.Behrman failed to pay many of the top finishers, and till this day still owes a balance of $10,000 to Mika Immonen, the winner of the event.

This year, the ABP has been telling Barry Behrman from the beginning that he needed to put the guaranteed prize money in escrow so that the players could count on being paid. Initially, he refused to discuss the matter, hanging up on representatives of the Board. Since he would not guarantee the prize money, the ABP released the press release that they would not attend the event unless the prize money was, in fact, guaranteed.

Since that time, there have been discussions between representatives of the ABP and Barry Behrman.

The ABP indicated that it needed the added money in escrow 30 days before the event, and the entry fees in escrow, as the fees were paid by entrants.

Mr. Behrman agreed to do two things.

1) Put the added money of $50,000.00 in escrow 30 days before the event; and

2) Put up, as collateral, his corporate papers and rights to the US Open 9 ball Tournament.

The ABP indicated that it needed the rest of the entry fees in escrow before the members would commit to taking part in the tournament. The collateral of the US Open Corporate papers was not something that the players organization wanted. The ABP is not an entity set up to run tournaments, but an organization set up to help protect the players. They would not be in a position to auction off Corporate papers, should it become necessary, to make sure that the winners were paid on time. It was suggested to Mr. Behrman that if the Corporate papers had that much value, perhaps they could be used as collateral and a third party could guaranty the funds. Any default in the obliga Read more ...]]> http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/additional-pros-not-attending-us-open.html/feed 0 http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/abp-pro-players-not-attending-the-2011-us-open-9-ball-championship.html http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/abp-pro-players-not-attending-the-2011-us-open-9-ball-championship.html#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2011 07:14:24 +0000 Pool and Billiards News http://www.insidepoolmag.com/?p=16054 ABP Pro Players Not Attending the 2011 US Open 9-Ball Championship
From ABP General Attorney Dennis Walsh

Chicago, Illinois- It is with regret that the general professional body of the Association of Billiard Professionals will not be attending the 2011 US Open 9-Ball Championship promoted by Mr.Barry Behrman. Nor will these ABP pros attend the Masters 10-Ball or any event promoted by Mr.Behrman because of monies owed to players and lack of secure funds of prize money before each of his events.

One of the goals of the Association of Billiards Professionals is to provide a platform where touring professionals can pursue the sport they love as a full time career and achieve reasonable financial success. To that end discussions have been ongoing since last year with representatives of the US Open and representatives of the ABP.

It is with regret that the general professional body of the Association of Billiard Professionals will not be attending the 2011 US Open 9-Ball Championship promoted by Mr.Barry Behrman.

Repeated attempts by the ABP organization to obtain guarantees that the prize money will be in place have been refused and therefore it is with regret that the Association and its members have decided to neither support nor attend the 2011 US Open 9-Ball Championship. Notwithstanding the Association’s deep respect for Barry Behrman for his contribution to pool these many years, the players simply cannot commit their time and their expenses for an uncertain payday.

“As a former US Open 9-Ball champion, it’s painful to not be able to attend this year, as it is always great to play in it. However, the ABP and its goals are more important than my personal goals, and we need to start taking the necessary steps to pave the way for the future of the game and its up and coming stars.”- Rodney Morris, ABP Board of Directors

“It is with sadness that I must withdraw from one of my favourite tournaments ever. In doing so, I hope the sacrifices we are making raises the standard of the elements that our beautiful sport lacks. The ABP’s goals are to the benefit of the sport and to restore the confidence of cooperation between players, associations and promoters alike. I stand behind this vision fully. ” – Mika Immonen, ABP Board of Directors and Two time US Open 9-Ball Champion.

“The US Open is the greatest and most prestigious event on American soil. I am truly sorry we cannot attend this event. But we have an obligation to protect all players now and in the future. I am hopeful in the future all things will be worked out so all players can participate in all great and safe tournaments.” – Johnny Archer, President of the ABP.

Regardless if this is a BCA or WPA Sanctioned event, the following ABP Professional Players will not attend:

Johnny Archer USA
Mika Immonen FIN
Efren Reyes PHI
Francisco Bustamante PHI
Darren Appleton ENG
Shane Van Boening USA
Rodney Morris USA
Alex Pagulayan PHI
Dennis Orcullo PHI
Thorsten Hohmann GER
Lee Van Corteza PHI
John Schmidt USA
Corey Deuel USA
Huidji See NED
Mike Sigel USA
Nick Varner USA
Buddy Hall USA
CJ Wiley USA
Tony Drago MLT
Read more ...]]> http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/abp-pro-players-not-attending-the-2011-us-open-9-ball-championship.html/feed 0 http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/four-players-left-at-world-9-ball-championship.html http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/four-players-left-at-world-9-ball-championship.html#comments Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:30:43 +0000 Pool and Billiards News http://www.insidepoolmag.com/?p=16037 Four Players Left at World 9-Ball Championship

ORCULLO, ALCANO, GRAY AND AKAKARIYAMA REACH THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE WORLD 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER LEGENDARY DAY IN POOL HISTORY

Story and Photo by Ted Lerner

(Doha, Qatar)–After what has to be one of the most memorable and exciting days in the history of championship pool, the Philippines Dennis Orcullo and Ronnie Alcano, England’s Mark Gray, and Japan’s Yukio Akakariyama all made it into the semi-finals of the World 9-ball Championship in Doha, Qatar.

One semi-final will be an all-Filipino affair between former World 9-ball Champion Alcano, and the world’s current number one ranked player, Orcullo. The other semi-final will feature Gray vs. Akakarayima. Both race to 11, alternate break matches will begin at 3pm local time Friday, July 1(GMT +3). The race to 13 alternate break final will begin later at 7pm.

It would be hard to imagine that the last three matches of this year’s World 9-ball Championship could produce any more drama than has already occurred but the way things went Thursday evening, anything must be possible. Two of the race to 11 matches went to a sudden death decider. Another one went to the 20th rack. World class players were reduced to rubble under the tortuous pressure; normally gimme-type pots became impossible makes; the second you figured you knew what was about to happen, something unheard of occurred.

Dennis Orcullo is one of the final four players vying for the 2011 World 9-Ball title.

The day began at the Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha at 10am with 32 players remaining. By the time the quarter finals rolled around in the evening session, there had already been enough nail biting drama to last years. What happened in the quarter finals produced enough heart stopping moments to last a lifetime.

Actually there was one contest out of the four that produced almost no drama. Going in, the matchup between Orcullo and England’s Daryl Peach promised fireworks as both players were playing superb pool. But once the contest got underway, it quickly became apparent that Orcullo is in another class this year.

Orcullo raced out to a 5-0 lead and from there it was all but over. Orcullo had figured out the diamond and was making two and three balls on every breakout, and leaving himself an open shot on the 1 ball. On the rare occasion that he missed, he would leave himself safe. Peach simply had no answer and he got routed by the man playing the best pool in the tournament, 11-2.

“He played brilliant,” Peach conceded afterwards. “And Dennis doesn’t get rattled by the Filipino fans cheering him on like some of the other Filipinos. It actually does him good.”

Orcullo, the current World 8-ball champion, is seriously ready to cash in on Friday and someone is going to have to play their all time best to beat him.

“I’m hungry to win this tournament,” Orcullo said after waylaying Peach. “I have a lot of experience and I know how to focus. I always want to play good in any tournament but this one is big.”

It was just about when Orcullo went off to relax that the other matches in the Al Sadd began to sizzle. On the far table Gray had jumped out to a 4-0 lead on the USA’s Shane Van Boening. The American had just come off an all time classic 11-10 thriller against England’s Darren Appleton and looked a bit flat. But then Van Boening stormed back to take a 5-4 lead. Gray struck back and, under pressure, played phenomenal pool to move up 8-5. Gray continued to play super smooth and pushed the score to 10 – 6. Then Van Boening kicked it into another gear.

After Gray fouled, Van Boening nailed a combination for the rack. The American broke and ran the next rack to make it 10-9. Gray had the break in the 20th frame but failed to get three balls past the head string. Van Boening, who seemed to have stolen the momentum, had the clear path to a tie and got down with the bridge for a fairly elementary cut on the 9-ball. To his horror, however, he missed the shot.

The two fought and agonized over that 9 ball for over 15 minutes until an errant safe by Van Boening gave Gray an open shot, which he potted for the win.

“I didn’t expect to be in the semi-finals,” Gray said afterward, as a devastated Van Boening slumped in his match chair for 30 minutes. “But I’m thinking I can win it. I usually play good on the big stage. And my confidence is really high right now. Who knows?”

At just about the same time that Gray and Van Boening had nearly gon Read more ...]]> http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/four-players-left-at-world-9-ball-championship.html/feed 0