 Semih Sayginer wows the crowd |
BCA fans had the opportunity to witness a “3-Cushion Grandmaster.”
Internationally acclaimed 3-Cushion World Champion, Semih Sayginer, also known as “The Turkish Prince,” showed his talent at the BCA 8-Ball Nationals. BCA fans had the opportunity to witness the event in person during the taping at 1:00 PM on May 16, 2007 at the top of the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.
Ira Lee, Director of HighRock Productions, debuted two thirty minute shows displaying Mr. Sayginer's skills against the legendary, celebrated BCA Hall of Famer, Mike “Tennessee Tarzan” Massey, widely known for his numerous wins in ESPN's “Trick Shot Magic;” and against the up and coming young gun, 2006 WPA Masse World Champion, Eric Yow.
The players were required to make their ball zig-zag, jump, curve and swerve across the table, tracing impossible-looking patterns. They demonstrated their imagination, power, technique and style while trying to impress a celebrity panel of judges that included Jeanette Lee (“The Black Widow”); Ivan Lee, President of Simonis; and Bob Jewett, President of the United States Billiard Association. “ESPN is pleased to air this historic event and to help make people more aware of this beautiful sport,” said Doug White, Director of Programming for ESPN.
As an added attraction, the fans were also treated to a special 25-point match between Mr. Sayginer and the 2006 USBA National 3-Cushion Champion Mazin Shooni of Detroit and Boston. The match was very exciting, as both battled it out to see who would win.
Semih won the lag and took a lead right away during the first 4 innings with a score of 8 to 3, but Mazin was determined and fought back. At one point, Semih saw his six-point lead demolished by a 7-point Shooni run that brought the crowds to their feet. From there on in, it was neck and neck. Mr. Sayginer pulled ahead 24 to 21 and missed a heatbreaker on a 5-cushion bank. As 3-Cushion players across America know, that's when Shooni gets dangerous – and he didn't disappoint the crowd, wowing them with four beautiful shots to win the game 25 to 24 in only 15 innings as a 1.66 average. It was a beautiful game between two 3-Cushion Masters, and one that 3-Cushion fans will hopefully be able to watch themselves soon thanks to High Rock Productions and ESPN.
Photo courtesy of Dave Thomson - Medium Pool
