Greg Matos, Rhio Anne Flores, Brooke Meyer and Alison Fischer
On the weekend of April 9-10, Brooke Meyer found himself battling Alison Fischer twice during an amateur stop on the Predator Tour. Fischer's work as reporter and photographer with NYCGrind, along with her improving work as a player (she was the Predator Tour's 'C' Player of the Year last year), made her advancement to the hot seat match and eventually, the finals, a cause for celebration and support in what, regardless of the outcome, would be her best finish ever on the Predator Tour (she did finish as runner-up at a stop on the Tri-State Tour last year). Meyer spoiled the party by defeating her twice and claiming the title. The $1,000-added event drew 66 entrants to Steinway Billiards in Astoria (Queens), NY.
Their initial meeting in the hot seat match followed a 7-4 victory by Fischer over Greg Matos and a 7-2 victory by Meyer, over Stewart Warnock in the winners' side semifinals. Fischer battled Meyer to double hill before he sunk the last ball and claimed the hot seat.
Matos moved over and picked up Abel Rosario, who'd defeated Troy Deocharran and Jose Quilan, both 7-4, to reach him. Warnock drew Annie Flores, who'd eliminated Ron Mason 7-3 and Lidio Ramirez 7-5. By identical 7-4 scores, Matos and Flores advanced to the quarterfinals over Rosario and Warnock.
Matos took that quarterfinal match 8-3 over Flores, but ran into an obviously well-motivated Fischer, who downed him 7-4 for a second shot at Meyer. For a second time, Fischer pushed Meyer to the brink, before he sunk the final ball in game 15 to claim the event title.
