Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 5/31/23
Race 4 Eight #1 Lucho Cordova dominated the 2022/23 season with five titles and seven trips to the finals but the road to the five titles and seven finals was not always easy for the Juarez Legend. Lucho became known as “Captain Comeback” on the tour for his ability to escape seemingly overwhelming deficits. Lucho erased large leads eight times throughout the season, demonstrating not only his skill but impervious resolve.
“I’ve always been super chill, even when I was younger, so I don’t get nervous if I’m down or even if it’s a tiebreaker,” stated Lucho after his Aces Player’s Championship round of 16 comeback against Stephen Cooney. “I don’t really think about anything, I just keep playing.”
Check out Lucho’s late game comeback heroics below.
- Trailed 5-12 in the second game in the semifinals of the 2022 Portland R48LTE, won 15-12 (Fink)
- Trailed 5-15 in the first game of the finals of the 2022 R48 Icebreaker, won 21-16 (Fink)
- Trailed 2-10 in the first game of the quarterfinals of the 2023 New Orleans R48LTE, won 15-13 (Esser)
- Trailed 5-10 in the first game of the semifinals of the 2023 Houston R48, won 15-10 (Fink)
- Trailed 10-14 in the first game of the semifinals of the 2023 Tucson Hall of Fame R48LTE, won 16-14 (Danos)
- Trailed 10-14 in first game of final of the 2023 Tucson Hall of Fame R48LTE, won 16-14 (Lenning)
- Trailed 1-8 in the round of 16 in the tiebreaker of the 2023 Aces Player’s Championship, won 15-9 (Cooney)
- Trailed 4-11 in the quarterfinals in the first game of the 2023 Aces Player’s Championship, won 15-12 (Esser)
Lucho is not nearly as charitable when he builds leads, as he never surrendered a big lead in any game during the season.
“Lucho is the fisherman,” stated SR48 star Chris “Waddy Dog” Watkins. “He sets the hook, then lets them go as far as they want. Then he slowly reels the fish.”
Lucho caught a lot of fish this season!
The Year of the Comeback HERE
What Could Have Been HERE
Examining the Three Champions on the 2022/23 R48 Men’s Pro Tour HERE
2022/23 Year End Race 4 Eight Rankings HERE
2022/23 Race 4 Eight Year End Awards HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer