Champions Reignite at Space City Open VII
Jan 2, 2019
James Davis, Jr., “Junior”, of Austin,
Texas, went undefeated in a 128-player field, to win the Space City Open VII,
open 9-ball title, becoming the second player to win it twice. Josh “The Beast”
Roberts not only defended his one pocket title, but finished second in banks,
and thirty-third in the 9-ball, earning himself the “All-Around” title, and a
hefty $1,500 bonus. First-time competitor, Evan Lunda of Detroit, Michigan,
cleaned up in the 32-player, 9-ball banks division, going hill-hill with only a
single opponent. In the 32-player, ladies 9-ball, Ming “The Empress” Ng redeemed
herself in the second set of the true, double elimination final, securing her
second title, and becoming the first, two-time winner in this division. Nine
junior players, including eight young men, and one young lady, traveled from
across Texas to compete in their very own division. Lazaro “Little Laz”
Martinez, III, of San Antonio, Texas, went undefeated in this category, earning
the first win in this division debut.
For years, Space City Open has featured
top players from across America, and this year was no exception. Former Mosconi
Cup players, contenders, and champions alike were in attendance, vying for a
piece of the $53,415 payout. Space City Open superstars included Justin Hall,
Josh Roberts, Danny Smith, Shane McMinn, John Morra, Charlie “Hillbilly”
Bryant, Richie Richeson, Alex Calderone, Sylver Ochoa, Ernesto Bayaua, James
Davis, Jr., Can Salim, Chris Robinson, Evan Lunda, Jamie Baraks, Manny Perez, Justin
Espinosa, Tommy Tokoph, and Jesus Atencio.
This year’s $7,500 added, Space City
Open VII, was held December 6th-9th, 2018, and
implemented a number of positive changes, including a $1,500 All-Around bonus,
and a seventeen-and-under, juniors 9-ball division. In its seventh year, the
“derby-like” event, now hosting five divisions over four days, was also held at
a brand new venue. Big Tyme Billiards in Spring, Texas, stepped up to host,
generously adding $4,000 to the purse, providing twenty Diamond bar tables and
six nine foot tables, on which to compete. Twenty-six, brand new, Cyclop “Zeus”
ball sets, and Accu-Racks by Outsville, were provided by Space City. The bar
tables were a popular change from the eight foot tables used in previous years (for
the open 9-ball division), and the format changes for one pocket and banks were
also a huge hit. These divisions were still held on nine foot tables, but in a
single elimination format as opposed to double, and the consensus was clear. Players
loved the expediency, along with the added pressure and intensity of the
“one-and-done” arrangement. For the first time, all divisions filled, with
players on stand-by.
The open 9-ball division presented a
monstrous, challenging field, played on the great equalizer; the bar table. On
the road to victory, James Davis, Jr. defeated Matt Williams, Charlie Bryant,
9-8, Evan Lunda, 9-8, and Shelby Green, 9-5, to reach the winners’ side final
eight. Espinosa logged wins over Angelina Dean, 9-1, Marshal Ward, 9-2, Eric
Aicinena, 9-4, and Victor Rojas, 9-7, while Danny Smith defeated Mike Landry,
9-2, Colton Berzins, 9-1, John Morra, 9-5, and Mike Alonzo, 9-8. Jamie Baraks
made quick work of Beto Cavazos, 9-3, Rick Moreno, 9-3, David Thomas, 9-7, and
Shane McMinn, 9-4. Houston’s Andy Jethwa passed Grady Cooper, 9-1, Mark
Galicia, 9-5, Sylver Ochoa, 9-8, and Corey Flud, 9-6. Richie Richeson ousted
Alan Myers, Jerry Miller, 9-8, David Chow, and Billy “Big Tyme” Sharp, 9-4,
while Alex Calderone overcame Chase Wheeler, 9-2, Ricki Casper, 9-6, Aaron
Springs, 9-7, and Germany’s Can Salim, 9-8. On the one loss side and in the
money, Kenneth Price upset Chris Robinson, 7-5, and bested Flud, 7-7, while
Morra topped Curt Sheldon, 7-3, and Shelby Green, 7-2. Bryant subdued Angel
Mentzel, but fell to Sharp by the same score, 7-2. Galicia upended Aicinena,
7-4, but fell to Salim, 7-2, while Moreno won an impressive five matches, ousting
Springs, 7-3, and Rojas, 7-4. Following a second round loss to Morra, Ernesto
Bayaua made a phenomenal comeback, securing five matches, including wins over
Derek Fontenot, 7-3, and Poon, 7-0. Jesus Atencio, on a similar mission, marked
up five on the one loss side, among the ruins, Reginal Samples, 7-1, and
Alonzo, 7-5. Jimmy Krone racked up five victories on the one loss side, but was
stopped by Ochoa, 7-4. Ochoa was taken out by McMinn, 7-6, wrapping up top
sixteen action. Back on the east side, Espinosa throttled Perez, 9-1, Baraks
triumphed over Smith, 9-7, while Davis, Jr. snuck by Jethwa, 9-7, and Calderone
inched by Richeson, 9-8. Espinosa squeaked by Baraks, 9-8, and Davis Jr. served
it up cold to Calderone, 9-4. The hot seat match-up marked an Austin-area shoot-out,
and a short-lived set for Espinosa, who sustained his first blow from Davis,
Jr., 9-5. On the west side, Morra took a stand, ending Price, 7-3, and Perez,
7-2, while Salim took out heavy hitters
Sharp, 7-3, and Smith, 7-2. Bayaua recorded his seventh win on the one
loss side, ending Moreno, 7-1, and Jethwa, 7-3. Ochoa finished off Atencio,
7-3, but fell to Richeson, 7-5. Salim went on to defeat Morra, 7-5, and
Calderone, 7-3, while Bayaua buried Richeson and Baraks, 7-3. Bayaua registered
his ninth win, but no more. Winning the case game against Bayaua, Salim secured
his sixth win, and slid into third place. Espinosa was ready for Salim, but got
off to a slow start. At a 6-3 deficit, Espinosa came back to win, 7-6, earning
himself a second shot at Junior, and the title. Once again, Espinosa found
himself in troubled waters, as Davis was in perfect rhythm with the table, and
couldn’t be denied. Davis Jr. surged to a 9-3 win, and his second 9-ball title
since the inception of Space City.
In the one pocket division, Josh Roberts
took no prisoners, eliminating Charlie Bryant, Jamie Baraks, and Chris
Robinson, 4-3, while Alex Calderone defeated Greg Trent, Jim McCary, and Sylver
Ochoa, 4-2. Local favorite, Richie Richeson, defeated Marc Garza and Manny
Perez, by the same score, 4-1, and John Morra, 4-1. Ernesto Bayaua rounded out
the final four, booking wins over Bobby Roland, Aaron Springs, 4-3, and Evan
Lunda. In the final four round, Roberts shut-out Calderone, 4-0, and Richeson
slid past Bayaua, 4-3. For the first time, Richeson found himself at the end of
the board, facing the defending champion. The pressure was on, as both players
were in close running for the All-Around bonus. In the final, numerous games
came down to the case ball. The fans were treated to an offensive juggernaut; a
display of maneuvers and banks, not soon forgotten, but even the creativity of
the venerable Richeson, was not enough. With an accounting of two,
eight-and-out runs, Roberts was up 3-2, with one ball remaining in game six.
Following an unforced error by Richeson, Roberts took it home, along with his
second, Space City Open one pocket title.
Evan Lunda was in charge of the banks. The Detroit product eliminated Jim Walker, 4-0, Danny Smith, 4-3, and Jose Barbosa, 4-1. His upcoming challenger, Shane McMinn, took out Mike Alonzo, Gail Eaton and James Davis, Jr. by the same score, 4-2. Josh Roberts overwhelmed Marc Garza, 4-1, Kent Berthelot, 4-0, and John Morra, 4-1, while Richie Richeson completed the final four, with wins over Bret Harlan, 4-0, Jamie Baraks, 4-2, and Justin Hall, 4-3. Lunda ended McMinn, 4-2, and Roberts robbed Richeson, 4-1. Lunda and Roberts found themselves in their first, banks final, vying for new milestones; Lunda, aiming for his first title, and Roberts, going for first-time champion of two different divisions. Lunda’s casual style showcased epic moves, and wowed spectators as he banked his way to victory. He shut out Roberts in the final of the single elimination schedule, 4-0, to win his first Space City Open title.
On Sunday morning, thirty-two women
started battling it out in the ladies 9-ball division. The 2013 ladies 9-ball
division champion, Ming “The Empress” Ng, began her trek with wins over Terri
Resendez, 7-2, two-time ladies 9-ball champion, Gail “Virginia Slim” Eaton,
7-6, and Kim “Texas Heat” Pierce, 7-1, as Robyn Petrosino plowed through Ruth
Paine, 7-0, Brittany Kromer, 7-3, and Teresa “Princess of Pool” Garland, 7-1.
Yvonne “Casher” Asher made her way to the cash, defeating Karen Reilly, Tam “MZ
Tam” Trinh, 7-3, and Jillian Nickerson, 7-6, while Ricky “The Ghost” Casper,
drifted past Matty Sword, 7-1, Sara Bork, 7-3, and Hopey “Hurricane” Lawrence,
7-2. Ng went on to shut out Petrosino, 7-0, and Casper stopped Asher, 7-4. In
the hot seat match, Ng emerged victorious over Casper, 7-4. On the one loss
side and in the final eight, Pierce and Eaton shut out Garland and Nickerson,
respectively, 5-0. Pierce derailed Asher, and Eaton eliminated Petrosino,
moving into the final four. Eaton went on to eliminate Pierce, 5-0, and Casper,
5-4, to meet Ng in the finals. Ng, going for her second title, and Eaton,
searching for her third, battled to the bitter end. In the first set, Ng simply
couldn’t get it together, and Eaton was on fire, taking the first set, 7-1.
Following a five minute break, the second set got underway. This time, Ng took
her turn, beating Eaton 5-3, to win her second, Space City Open title.
Nine players, seventeen and under,
competed in the inaugural, juniors 9-ball division. Lazaro Martinez, III, aka
“Little Laz”, outplayed April Gonzales, 5-2, and Alex Fonseca bested Jonathan
Cortez, 5-1. Jacob Gonzales beat John Benavides, but fell to Kyle Yi, while Gabriel
Martinez passed Nathan Garay, 5-1. Martinez, III logged a third win against
Fonseca, 5-2, and G. Martinez ousted Yi, for a brother versus brother, hot seat
match-up. G. Martinez denied his brother, and awaited his final opponent. On
the one loss side, and in the final six, Fonseca eliminated Garay, and Yi
overcame Benavides. Yi eliminated Fonseca, but fell to Martinez, III. Once
again, “Little Laz” faced off with brother, Gabriel, in the final. The final
told a different story, as Little Laz overwhelmed Gabriel, 5-2, 5-3, to win his
first Space City Open title.
Space
City Open VII goes down in the record books as the most successful one to date.
“I have no words for the outpouring of support from the Texas pool community.
Even with the last minute venue and format changes, the event over-filled.
Billy Sharp and Deborah Sharp of Big Tyme Billiards came through for all of us”
commented Kim Newsome, Space City Open Founder and Director. Space City Open
extends a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone involved in the production of this
event; John Newsome and Johnny Gonzales of Eagle Plumbing who sponsored the $1,500,
All-Around bonus; staff members Kim Newsome, John Newsome, Erica Hanlon, and
Chuck Adams who managed every facet of the event; Ceferina Ramirez and Ruth
Paine for their contributions; Mike Fabacher with Southern Streaming who provided a
free, four-day live stream; Chris Lue of Next Action Media, whose photographs
captured the essence of the event; sponsors Roger Schuett with the APA of North
Harris County, Mike McDonald of VaporKnightsUSA.com, Poison by Predator Cues, Cyclop
Pool Balls, Chris Renfro with Outsville Billiards, Charlie and Heather Bryant
of Brutal Game Gear, and David Taylor and Teresa Garland with Houston Best of Billiards;
vendors Jerry Olivier Cue Repair, Joe Salazar Connoisseur of Custom Cues,
Arthur Politte with Qxtender.com, Darrold Stiehl with Champions Cues, and
Brutal Game Gear.
Finally,
Space City would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the players who
support this event, year in and year out. Without the players, none of this
would be possible.
Space
City Open is one of the biggest billiard events in Texas, and is held annually,
the first week in December. For more information, visit www.SpaceCityOpen.com.
Written By: Kim Newsome
Photos By: Chris Lue, Next
Action Media
Payouts:
Open 9-Ball – 128 players
(Total $30,230)
1st James Davis,
Jr. $3,300/$5,700
2nd Justin
Espinosa $2,000/$3,800
3rd Can Salim
$1,300/$2,850
4th Ernesto
Bayaua $900/$1,900
5th-6th
Jamie Baraks, Alex Calderone $500/$950 ea.
7th-8th
Richie Richeson, John Morra $300/$650
9th-12th
Danny Smith, Andy Jethwa, Sylver Ochoa, Manny Perez $170/$400
13th-16th
Billy Sharp, Jesus Atencio, Rick Moreno, Kenneth Price $110 ea.
17th-24th
Shane McMinn, Victor Rojas, Corey Flud, Charlie Bryant, Mark Galicia, Mike
Alonzo, Shelby Green, Jonathan Poon $70 ea.
25th-32nd
Aaron Springs, Jimmy Krone, Derek Fontenot, Curt Sheldon, Eric Aicinena, Chris
Robinson, Angel Mentzel, Reginald Samples $50 ea.
One Pocket – 32 players
(Total $9,400)
1st Josh Roberts
$1,300/$2,350
2nd Richie
Richeson $900/$1,750
3rd-4th
Ernesto Bayaua, Alex Calderone $440/$870 ea.
5th-8th
Chris Robinson, Sylver Ochoa, John Morra, Evan Lunda $120 ea.
9-Ball Banks – 32 players
(Total $7,640)
1st Evan Lunda
$1,300/$1,680
2nd Josh Roberts
$900/$1,200
3rd-4th
Shane McMinn, Richie Richeson $440/$600
5th-8th
James Davis, Jr., Jose Barbosa, John Morra, Justin Hall $120 ea.
Ladies 9-Ball – 32 players
(Total $4,420)
1st Ming Ng
$570/$1,120
2nd Gail Eaton
$400/$840
3rd Ricki Casper
$250/$560
4th Kim Pierce
$160$280
5th-6th
Yvonne Asher, Robyn Petrosino $80 ea.
7th-8th
Teresa Garland, Jillian Nickerson $40 ea.
Juniors 9-Ball – 9 players
(Total $225)
1st Lazaro
Martinez, III $110
2nd Gabriel
Martinez $70
3rd Kyle Yi $45
All-Around Champion ($1,500)
Josh Roberts