Sunday at the 2022 WPH R48 Icebreaker
Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 12/11/22
Day 2
The second R48 Icebreaker wrapped on Sunday at the WPH’s Clark Park, with the Men’s Pro champion crowned, the Men’s Pro fifth and ninth place playoffs being decided, and the Women’s Final.
R48
Lucho entered Sunday’s semifinal against his brother Danos seeking his fifteenth consecutive match win at Clark Park and started quickly on the 48 degree morning, racing to a 21-5 first game win. Danos was more competitive in game two but not enough to stop the Juarez Express, as Lucho advanced in two games.
David Fink dropped a two-game quarterfinal against Martin Mulkerrins at the 2022 Memorial in November and was aiming to turn the tables on the 2022 R48 Player’s Champion on his home court. Fink took a 14-4 first-game lead with ace serves and fly kills, but Mulkerrins responded, cutting Fink’s lead to one at 15-16. Fink was able to reverse the momentum, scoring the final five points of the game.
Mulkerrins built an 11-6 second game lead with power serves and paddle kills, seemingly en route to forcing a tiebreaker. Fink responded with a 15-2 run to end the match and his first R48 finals appearance since the 2021 R48 Icebreaker. “That was the best match I have played in a few seasons,” stated Fink. “All of my shots were working, especially my left hand fly kill.”
Lucho was seeking his second consecutive R48 title in the final, a feat mustered by only a select few on tour. Fink was aiming for his second R48 title in defense of his R48 Icebreaker title. The first game featured high level handball from both stars, as the pair traded the lead four times, with both capitalizing on the opportunities. With Fink serving at 15-16, Lucho earned a side out and extended his lead to 19-15, eventually clinching the first game, 21-16.
Lucho caught fire in game two, extending his 5-4 lead by scoring twelve consecutive points in one inning. “When he (Lucho) is making those serves and fly kills, there is not much anyone can do,” stated Danos.
Lucho clinched his sixth R48 title and second in a row with a two-game sweep. “Lucho is clearly the guy to beat now, inside and outside,” stated Fink.
Semifinals
Lucho def Danos 21-5, 21-11
Fink def Mulkerrins 21-15, 21-13
Final: Lucho def Fink 21-16, 21-8
5th Place Final: Leo vs. Shorty
Leo Canales, Jr. blitzed Max Langmack in Sunday morning’s fifth place semifinals, while Shorty Ruiz overcame Adam Bernhard.
Leo was unstoppable in the first ten minutes of the one game to 25 fifth place final, building an 18-4 lead with perfectly placed serves and bottom brick rollouts. Ruiz battled back, keeping Canales in the back court with deep power serves and winning rallies with tap kills or power ceilings. Ruiz served for the match at 24-23 and appeared to win the match with a power ceiling that went over the left side wall. Canales not only returned the nearly perfect shot, but hit the ball with power into the front wall-right wall, allowing himself to get back into the rally and eventually win it. A deflated Ruiz could not recover, losing the next three points. “I can’t believe I was able to put that ball in the perfect spot (in the rally at 24-23),” stated Canales.
Semifinals
Canales, Jr. def Langmack 25-6
Ruiz def Bernhard 25-14
Final: Canales, Jr. def Ruiz 26-24
9th Place Final: Collado vs. Palma
Loren Collado completed one of his best R48 events with a dominant ninth place final against Ricardo Palma, who notched his first top ten finish on the tour. Collado defeated Sam Esser in the semifinals and dominated Palma in the final. “Loren was just killing everything,” stated Esser. “There was nothing I could do.”
Semifinals
Collado def Esser 25-18
Palma def Montijo 25-22
Final: Collado def Palma 25-7
R48 Finishes
1st: Lucho
2nd: Fink
3rd: Mulkerrins/Danos
5th: Canales, Jr.
6th: Fink
7th: Langmack/Bernhard
9th: Collado
10th: Palma
11th: Montijo/Esser
13th: Schiller/D. Hernandez/Bike/Burgos
Women’s Final: Ruiz vs. Esser
Mikaila Esser and Ashley Moler staged another classic in what is quickly becoming one of the most exciting rivalries in 3-Wall handball. Esser took game one, consistently serving close to the back line and scoring free points or driving weak returns for winners. Ruiz bounced back in game two, playing more consistently and executing her patented front court kills.
Esser started fast in the tiebreaker and was never in danger in the 11-point decider, clinching the title. “I felt like I lost my power in the second so I told myself to move my feet more and really just push myself in the tiebreaker,” stated Esser.
Final: Esser def Ruiz 21-7, 15-21, 11-4
Thank you!
Thank you to the WPH for another fantastic Race 4 Eight event. Thank you to Scott “The Commish” Cleveland, Jim V and the BBQ crew for an outstanding Saturday BBQ.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer