WPH Press, Tucson, AZ, 9/18/21
The 2021 WPH Big Ball Icebreaker #2 featured the second Big Ball singles Icebreaker of 2021 and the thirteenth WPH Icebreaker at Clark Park since September of 2020. 22 players from Arizona, California, Texas, New York, North Carolina, and Moldova competed on Clark Park’s pristine 3-Wall courts, with the event producing several sensational showdowns.
(NOTE: MATCHES RECORDED FROM THIS EVENT ARE ONLINE AT YOUTUBE.COM/WPHLIVE) (PLEASE LIKE, SUBSCRIBE AND SHARE)
Shorty Ruiz (AZ) entered the event as the top seed on his home courts and needed very little court time to cruise to the final, overcoming North Carolina’s Joe Clase in the round of 16, Oscar Hernandez (TX) in the quarterfinals, and Jorge Gabino (AZ) in the semifinals. Ruiz outscored his three opponents on his way to the final by a combined 63-18.
The bottom bracket featured several of the game’s rising stars, including Alberto Pizano (AZ), Victor Vallejo (AZ), and Javier Gonzalez (TX), in addition to second-seeded Brian Medina (CA) and third-seeded Jonathan Chavez (TX).
Pizano and Gonzalez matched up in a scintillating round of 16 battle, with Pizano overcoming the former New York 1-Wall star, 21-14.
Pizano, who nearly qualified at the first WPH Big Ball Icebreaker, appeared to be on the verge of his biggest Icebreaker win, as he sat tied with Medina at 18 in the one game quarterfinal clash to 21. Medina escaped, setting up a matchup with Chavez. Chavez faced WPH Icebreaker #1 qualifier finalist Vallejo in the quarterfinals and trailed throughout, starting with a 0-6 deficit and ultimately standing one point from elimination at 17-20. Vallejo served eight times for the match, but Chavez had the answer each time, including a diving left-handed pass to stay alive at 20-19. Chavez eventually prevailed, 21-20.
Medina had little difficulty against Chavez in the bottom bracket semifinal, using his effortless style to befuddle the Texan.
Medina and Ruiz have combined to win more than a dozen WPH Outdoor titles and the finals would add to that total. Medina overwhelmed Ruiz in game one of the best of three game final, stunning the top seed 15-4. Ruiz started game two with conviction, moving his feet and making several spectacular deep court kills. Medina maintained his composure and stayed relaxed, never allowing Ruiz into the match en route to a two-game sweep, 15-4, 15-9. “It feels good to win this one,” stated the soft-spoken Medina. “I am having difficulty adjusting to this heat but it was ok today.”
Jonathan Chavez defeated Jorge Gabino for third, 21-16.
The Playoffs included all of the players who lost before the semifinals, with the winner of that 16-player Playoff bracket to face the fourth place finisher Jorge Gabino for overall fourth. Pizano and Gonzalez met for the second time of the day in the finals of the Playoff bracket, with Gonzalez exacting revenge to face Gabino for the final money spot. Gonzalez overwhelmed Gabino in the fourth place final, ending his event on a five-match winning streak.
Semifinals
Ruiz def Gabino 21-3
Medina def Chavez 21-11
Final: Medina def Ruiz 15-4, 15-9
Third Place Final: Chavez def Gabino 21-16
Fourth Place Final: Gonzalez def Gabino 21-9
Finishes
1st: Medina (CA)
2nd: Ruiz (AZ)
3rd: Chavez (TX)
4th: Gonzalez (TX)
5th: Gabino (AZ)
Thank you!
Thank you to WPH Clark Park BBQ masters Scott Cleveland and Con Man Jim for an outstanding all-day BBQ! Thank you to the WPH for another outstanding WPH Icebreaker. Thank you to all of the players for their passion for the game.
Stay tuned to wphlive.tv and R2 sports for upcoming WPH events.
Follow the draw from the WPH Big Ball Icebreaker #2 HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer