Kevin Guimond
Austin transplant Kevin Guimond impressed onlookers as he steamrolled Alaskan native, JR. Jueco, two sets in the true double elimination final of the PxP Tour Open 9-Ball Division, 9-3 and 7-1, held November 9th-10th, 2013, at Skinny Bob’s Billiards in Round Rock, Texas. Guimond took a hot seat hit from Jueco, 9-7, but came back to secure his win in true championship style. His path to the hot seat included wins over Frank Ferrer Jr., 9-7, and James Davis Jr., 9-1. In the final four, Jueco bested Alex Cardenas, 9-3, which pitted Jueco against Guimond. After a first round hit at the hands of Frank Ferrer Jr., Daniel Johnson won 3 consecutive matches before falling to James Davis Jr., 7-5. In turn, Ferrer lost his second round match and came back with wins over Robert Rivas, 7-3, and Alex Cardenas 7-6. Ferrer was eliminated by James Davis Jr., 7-5. Once again, Guimond defeated Davis Jr., 7-1, staging a finals rematch with Jueco. From start to finish, Guimond effortlessly ran ball after ball with minimal errors. A frustrated Jueco failed to regain his footing, losing both sets, 9-3, 7-1.
In the amateur 9-ball division, Kileen’s Daniel Johnson overcame Cielo Velasquez for the hot seat, 7-3. It was a long road for Johnson who bested Frank Reed and Kim Sanders by the same score of 7-3, and finally Justin Pena in the final four, 7-2. Velasquez ousted tour newcomer Khahn Nguyen in the final four as well, setting the stage for the Velasquez v. Johnson showdown. On the one-loss side, Sanders was on the comeback trail, eliminating Ian Johnson, 5-3, and Nguyen, 5-3. Rober Rivas made an impressive return as well after losing his first match to Frank Ferrer, Jr. Rivas won an incredible 6 consecutive matches, settling for 5th-6th following a final blow by Pena, 5-2. Sanders ousted Pena, 5-2, but fell short against Velasquez, 5-1. In the final match, Johnson and Velasquez came out firing. Johnson fell short the first set, 7-5. Velasquez’ gained even more momentum in the second set. He shot swiftly, with purpose and determination. Johnson appeared mentally exhausted, and it became increasingly worse for him as the set wore on. Velasquez defeated Johnson in the final set, 5-2. Congratulations to Kim Sanders who became the highest woman finisher in a men’s division in the 2 year history of the Poison by Predator Tour.
On the ladies side, Austin favorite Kim Pierce went undefeated, ending an impressive run by Nicole McDaniel in the final, 5-4. Pierce ousted McDaniel on the final four winners’ side while Kim Sanders fell short to Gail Eaton. Pierce defeated Eaton for the hot seat while McDaniel eliminated Celeste Espinosa Sanders, and finally Eaton, 5-2, for a rematch with Pierce. It was a bitter battle to the end, but Pierce maintained her composure and finished the final rack, narrowly defeating McDaniel, 5-4.
Finally, congratulations to local player Pete Baza who won a beautiful Poison Bolt 3 Cue in the PxP Poison Cue raffle.
The PxP Tour is title sponsored by Poison by Predator cues www.PoisonBilliards.com. Sponsors include the Delta-13 Rack www.delta-13.com, and the APA of North Harris County.
