Tecate, Mexico hosted the 2016 Tecate Big Ball Blowout on the last weekend in July, with men’s pro singles and doubles brackets in Mexico’s mountainous northwestern town 40 miles south of San Diego. WPH Outdoor #1 and three-time WPH Outdoor Player’s Cup Champion Juan Santos made the 130-mile journey from Orange Country, CA with L.A.’s Javi Flores to challenge northwest Mexico’s top big ball talent, including Victor Martinez and Alex Rey.
Tecate’s 3-Wall courts provided a unique challenge to the California stars, with 14 foot-high walls that stretched to 30 feet past the short line. “The enormous court challenged the player’s conditioning and shot making,” stated WPH Outdoor Director and 2016 Tecate Big Ball Blowout open division director Tom Flores. “The floors were very slippery and the courts were very difficult to play.”
The 2016 Tecate Big Ball Blowout men’s pro singles final four featured Juan Santos, Alex Rey, Victor Martinez, and Javi Flores in a unique double elimination format. Ultimately, Santos and Martinez met for the title in the highly anticipated final between two of the best players in the big ball game. The matchup was completely dominated by Santos, who never allowed the local favorite into the match. “Santos used a spectacular two-wall serve that Victor just could not defend,” stated Tom Flores. “Santos either earned an ace or a very easy setup off his serve and killed just about every shot.” Santos cruised 12-1, 12-1 for his first Tecate title.
Santos slammed by winning the doubles with Javi Flores, defeating Victor Martinez and Arturo Mata 15-13, 15-9.
The 2016 Tecate Big Ball Blowout’s results will not count towards the WPH Outdoor rankings but will likely serve as a springboard for Santos heading into September’s WPH Outdoor 3WallBall Outdoor World Championships in the final event in the 2016 WPH Outdoor Race 2 Vegas. Santos will be aiming to defend his defend his 2015 3WallBall Outdoor World Championships while also aiming his fourth WPH Outdoor Player’s Cup for the WPH Outdoor Player of the Year.
Thank you to 2016 Tecate Big Ball Blowout tournament directors Tom Flores, Javi Flores, Liga Simpson, and Rafael Gonzalez.
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David Fink
WPH Senior Writer