Alex Calderon
Big Tyme Billiards in Spring, TX – a suburb of Houston – wrapped up the year with their $8,000 added Space City Open XII. Owners Billy Sharp, Mark Avery and Jim Henry and their manager, Jaime Arredondo, welcomed both players and fans to their event.
Live streamed and promoted by Ray Hansen’s PoolActionTV.com, local sponsors included Immediate Smiles, Brutal Game Gear, Poison by Predator, Outsville, Predator, Alamo Billiards, Simonis, Aramith, Jerry Olivier Custom Cues, Diamond Billiard Products, Inc., Savage Billiards and the Fort Worth Billiards Superstore.
The action began on Wednesday evening with the $1,000 added 9 Ball Banks. This single elimination event drew a full field of 32 players. Paying their $100 entry fees and racing to four on nine foot tables, it whittled down to Johnathan Pinegar (“Hennessee”) and Raed Shabib with Hennessee taking it down 4-2.
Thursday evening was the start of the $1,000 added One Pocket Championship. Also racing to four, this single elimination event had a full field of 32 players posting a $100 entry fee.
In the upper portion of the bracket, it was Roberto Gomez and Hennessee who made it to the final four. Roberto eked out a 4-3 win over John Gabriel and then smoked both Mark Estiola and Ernesto Bayaua 4-zip. Hennessee spanked Derek Fontenot, James Bulice and Michael Alonzo – all 4-0.
In the lower portion of the bracket, Chip Compton had wins over Donnie Proctor 4-0, Greg Sandifer 4-2 and Alex Calderon – also 4-2. Mickey Krause defeated Brad Danford, Victor Rojas and Eric Aicinena – all 4-0.
Playing to make the finals, it was Hennessee over Roberto and Mickey over Chip – both matches went 4-3.
Mickey Krause
The finals were tight until Mickey pulled away to defeat Hennessee and win the match 4-2.
The main event – the $3,500 added Open 9 Ball Championship – began on Friday evening. 114 players posted their $75 entry fees to play in this double elimination event. Played on seven foot Diamonds, races were 9/7.
In the upper portion of the bracket, Calderon sliced through the field to make the hot seat match. In the first round, Alex blistered James Costello 9-0, defeated Joshua Garcia 9-4, blanked Daniel Bennett and Rizvi Dimalen 9-0, Joey Gray 9-4 and Tommy Tokoph 9-5.
In the lower portion of the chart, Ryan Robinson defeated Christy Munos and Donald Proctor – both 9-1. He then beat Lazaro Martinez III 9-4, Cesar Arechiga 9-6, Justin Espinosa 9-4 and Gabriel Martinez 9-7.
The hot seat match began with Alex locking up his seat in the finals 9-4. Ryan headed west to await an opponent.
Trying to stay alive, it was fellow Oklahomans Joey Gray and Chip Compton duking it out. Going down to the case game, it was Chip who survived 7-6 and went on to face Ryan. Joey finished in fourth place.
In another match going down to the wire, Chip again prevailed 7-6 and moved on to the finals. Ryan finished in third place.
Since this was true double elimination, Chip would have to defeat Alex two sets to claim the title. He took the first set 9-3 forcing a final race to seven for it all.
It went neck and neck with both players on the hill. Alex pocketed the final nine ball to take the match and the title.
Eylul Kibaroglu
While the Open 9 Ball was winding down on Sunday, the $500 added Ladies 9 Ball was just getting started. A full field of 32 players paid a $45 entry fee to compete in this double elimination event played on seven foot Diamonds. Races were 7/5.
The Ladies 9 Ball began with Natalie Rocha defeating Erin Lacy 7-4, Jackie Silva and Mille Almaraz – both 7-5 and Genesis Padilla 7-0 to make the hot seat match.
In the lower portion of the bracket, reigning Texas Open 9 Ball champ, Turkey’s Eylul Kibaroglu, worked her way through the field. She posted wins over Lindsey Sanders 7-2, Jaiden Barbour 7-1, Robyn Petrosino 7-3 and Tam Trinh 7-4 to arrive at the hot seat match.
The hot seat match was all Eylul as she trounced Natalie 7-1. Eylul advanced to the finals and Natalie headed west to await for an opponent to emerge.
On the one loss side, it was Mille who eliminated Makenna Sanders 5-2. Makenna finished in fourth place.
Taking no prisoners, Natalie then blistered Mille 5-0 to head back to the finals. Mille finished in third place.
As mentioned previously, Natalie had her work cut out for her as she had to defeat Eylul twice to win the tournament. However, she had to settle for runner-up as Eylul won the match 7-1 and claimed the title.
Congratulations to Alex Calderon, Hennessee, Mickie Krause and Eylul Kibaroglu for becoming this year’s Space City Open champions! And, congrats to Hennessee for claiming the $1,500 All-Around bonus!
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