2021/22 Matches of the Season Series: Shorty vs. Collado in Salt Lake City
WPH Showcase, Tucson, AZ
As the 2022 Icebreaker Series and the 2022/23 Race 4 Eight Tour are set to kick off, the WPH is thrilled to introduce WPH 2021/22 Matches of the Season Series, featuring the best match from each of the major stops during the 2021/22 pro handball season.
5th Place Semifinal at the 2022 R48 Aces Player’s Championship: Ruiz vs. Collado
Loren Collado advanced to the round of eight at the 2022 R48 Aces Player’s Championship with a dramatic round of 16 win, while Shorty Ruiz enjoyed his best career season on the tour, ending the season ranked #7. The pair would collide in an early Saturday evening clash, with both aiming for a spot in the 5th place final.
Ruiz raced to a 10-0 lead against Collado, seemingly closing in on the fifth place final. “I got bored and went for a crazy shot at 10-0 and that changed the match,” stated Ruiz. Collado proceeded to score 23 points in a row, standing two points from his best R48 finish.
Fighting the altitude and Collado’s stellar play, Ruiz caught fire with a barrage of aces and paddle kills to tie the score at 23.
After surrendering the lead, Collado finally ended Ruiz’s streak and scored to serve for the match at 24-23. Collado appeared to hit a match-winner from 35-feet with his right hand, a three-inch high laser down the right. Reading the shot, Ruiz left his feet when Collado made contact, diving towards the right corner and paddling an improbable re kill to earn a side out. A demoralized and exhausted Collado could not recover, as Ruiz rode the momentum to three consecutive points to end the match.
5th place semifinal: Ruiz def Collado 26-24
Stay tuned for upcoming WPH 2021/22 Matches of the Season Series features.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer