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January 13, 2001. Mike Zuglan's Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour came to Eight-Ball Billiards in Quincy, Ma with 84 players in search of their share of the over $10,000 in cash. The Foxy Lady clubs of Brockton, Ma and Providence RI added $4000 to the event. Jose Parica, Cliff Joyner, George SanSouci, Mika Immonen, Alain Martel, Dan Basavich, Larry Lisciotti, and Mike Zuglan were in the field along with the other great players that make up what is now one of the strongest tours anywhere. The matches on Saturday were intense and close all day long. Strong players like Santos Sombajon and Dan Basavich were sent home empty handed and in a great match Ted Garrahan sent Jose Parica to the one loss side. Ginky sent Jeff Kennedy to the other side of the chart. Frankie Hernandez did the same to Danny Hewitt and so did young Antonino Fidelibus to Cliff Joyner. When the dust settled it would be Teddy Garrahan, Mike Zuglan, Mika Immonen, Joey Korsiak, Frankie Hernandez, Larry Lisciotti, George SanSouci and Alain Martel would all go undefeated for the day. On the one loss side coming back for Sunday would be Ed Abraham vs Kevin Piccinin, Marc Pantovic vs Cliff Joyner, Billy Lanna vs Jose Parica and Mike Yamauchi vs Chuck Altomare. Making the cash Saturday but not returning was Dan Hewitt, Ryan McCreesh, Jeff Kennedy, Carlos Santos, Antonino Fidelibus, Ron Paige, Steve Tavernier and Lee French.
Sunday began with Teddy Garrahan knocking off Mike Zuglan and SanSouci sending Martel to the one loss side. Hernandez was all over Lisciotti and Mika drilled Joey "K". After beating Parica and Zuglan young Ted Garrahan now faced another world class player in Mika Immonen. Just playing his game and not letting the pressure get to him Garrahan almost ate Immonen alive winning 9-4 and for dessert he would get Ginky. SanSouci got warmed up for the young New Jersey man by winning his first match against the great "Dancing Bear" from Montreal Alain Martel in a great match and continued by beating Garrahan easily to go to the "hot seat" On the one loss side of the chart Alain Martel took his game to another level and everyone who got in the Bear's way found out how great this Quebec native really plays. In a match with Immonen we saw some of the best 9-ball played. Great safety play, great shot making and some unbelievable masse` shots all lead to Martel getting to the finals. In the true double elimination format Martel would have to beat SanSouci twice to take the title. Ginky had the break in the first game and quickly put a "3 pack" on the the "dancing Bear". In the fourth game George made nothing on the break and Martel pushed out. Playing safe four times each, Martel won the battle and the Massachusetts crowd of over 200 watched and learned what a great player Martel really is. Winning the first set 9-5 and all got ready to watch set number two. Once again SanSouci got out to an early 3-0 lead. Martel won the next game and SanSouci the next. At 4-1 Ginky, Martel got to the table and this gentle big man put on an exhibition that was a sight to see. The 17 time Quebec champion won the next 8 games in a row to take the championship away from one of the strongest young players in the world. What a wonderful player and with a lot of the Canadian greats, have come to realize how good this tour is. Great competition and great pay days have brought a lot of people over the boarder to play.
You just can't say enough about the conditions and the hospitality shown us at Eight-Ball Billiards. Mark, Charlie and John along with their great staff all worked overtime to bring the event off and they did a great job. Thank You. If your a player in the Boston area get over to Quincy and see this room it is great. Next week end we are in North Providence. RI at Rhode Island Billiard club for our next stop.
Final Standings:
1. $2400 Alain Martel
2. $1570 George SanSouci
3. $1000 Ted Garrahan
4. $750 Frank Hernandez
5/ $500 Mike Zuglan
6
Mika Immonen
7/ $400 Jose Parica
8
Cliff Joyner
9/ $300 Larry Lisciotti
10
Joey Korsiak
11
Chuck Altomare
12
Ed Abraham
13/ $200 Mike Yamauchi
14
Billy Lanna
15
Kevin Piccinin
16
Marc Pantovic
17/ $150 Danny Hewitt
18
Ryan McCreesh
19
Jeff Kennedy
20
Carlos Santos
21
Antonino Fidelibus
22
Ron Paige
23
Steve Tavernier
24
Lee French
By: Pat Murray