WPH Press, Tucson, AZ, 5/22/21
View the WPH Big Ball Icebreaker Contenders draw HERE
The WPH hosted its first WPH Icebreaker Big Ball Contenders at Tucson’s Clark Park, featuring 22 players from Arizona, California, Texas, Mexico, and Florida. Each of the big ballers was aiming to earn their WPH Big Ball Pro Card and an invitation to the next WPH Icebreaker Big Ball Pro event. The WPH continues to “break the ice” with the Icebreaker pro tour, following all of the CDC and City of Tucson pandemic guidelines.
WPH Icebreaker Small Ball #1 pro David Fink was a last-minute entry into the Icebreaker Big Ball Contenders, sliding into the draw as the 22nd seed. Fink faced a very difficult draw in the 100-degree Tucson sun, starting with Tucson’s Ivan Lugo. After overcoming Lugo, Fink defeated El Paso’s Alan Gonzalez to set up a clash with Miami’s (by way of Cuba) Carlos “Coach” Garcia Gomez. Fink fought off the challenge from the 41-year-old Floridian to face Glendale’s Alberto Pizano. Pizano had blitzed his three opponents enroute to the semifinal by a combined score of 63-17, looking pro ready. Pizano started quickly against Fink, building a 3-0 lead, but quickly found himself trailing 12-4, before falling 21-9. “When I watched Alberto play I was hoping to score double digits, but my serve was working and I played better than I expected,” stated Fink.
The top half of the draw featured the emergence of Glendale’s Victor Vallejo, who followed his Glendale sparring partner’s blueprint to the final with three decisive victories, outscoring his three opponents by a combined 63-19.
Fink found himself tied with Vallejo at seven in the final before scoring 14 of the final 16 points of the match. “I had no expectations coming into this event except to get a good workout,” stated Fink. “Every match was very difficult. I am really happy that I entered and earned my Big Ball stripes, I feel like I’m a part of the community now. Each of my opponents hit shots that I’m not used to seeing, including overhand spike kills, lobs, tap kills, and stiff-arm left kills. I’m still very upset with my loss in the last small ball Icebreaker, but this is a good step forward.”
Carlos “Coach” Garcia Gomez won the 16-player fifth place playoff, defeating Alan “Gonzo” Gonzalez in his seventh (!) match of the day. Alberto Pizano defeated Beto Duarte for third.
Semifinals
Victor Vallejo def Beto Duarte 21-8
David Fink def Alberto Pizano 21-9
Final: Fink def Vallejo 21-9
Third place final: Pizano def Duarte 21-15
Fifth Place Final: Carlos Garcia Gomez def Alan Gonzalez 21-15
Tucson’s Jose Hernandez teamed with California’s Bobby Echeverria to win the Contender Doubles, winning the final in a thriller, 21-20.
Thank you to “Con Man” Jim and Jose Hernandez for manning the BBQ, Che Lowenstein and Dave Vincent for filming, Shorty Ruiz and Ashley Moler for all of their pre-tournament help, and to all of the players for making the Icebreaker’s first Big Ball event a huge success.
“I came to this tournament (from Miami) because the WPH runs such professional events and I wanted to be a part of it,” stated Carlos “Coach” Garcia Gomez. “This event was exactly what I hoped and more. I am looking forward to coming back to as many events as I can.”
“Thank you to the entire WPH team for working so hard to make the Icebreaker #10 happen,” stated Southern California’s Darryl Garcia. “It was an honor to be a part of the movement. There was only positive ambiance and energy in the air. I believe in everything that you guys are doing for the Handball community.”
“This was another great event,” stated Clark Park namesake and WPH super fan and donor Doug Clark. “I love what the WPH is doing for handball and I am happy to support all of the WPH’s initiatives.”
View the WPH Big Ball Icebreaker Contenders draw HERE
Follow all of the WPH Icebreaker action on wphlive.tv HERE