Jose Parica prepares for his battle against Jeff Carter.
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Hall Makes a Point
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Buddy Hall wants to make one thing clear. He was sick last year and that's
the only reason why he wasn't kicking butt in pro pool the way he has been on the Camel Pro Billiards Series. "I was kind of angry of things my peers said of me," said Hall, the cur
rent points leader on the Camel Series. "They said I wasn't qualified to play in pro events and that I was too old." Obviously, he's not. At 52, Hall is on the verge of collecting the largest payday available to poolplayers in 1997. If he manages to finis
h ahead of Jose Parica in the final standings, Hall will earn an extra $50,000, not to mention a heap of respect that may have slipped away over the last year. "If I'm able to perform, all I have to do is get my health back and play," says Hall. "As l
ong as I have my health, I can play with anybody."
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With their two victories in the first round of the Camel Pro Billiards Series Denver Open, Buddy Hall and José Parica, 1-2 respectively in the Camel points race, have practically ensured themselves no worse than second in the final standings. The winner o
f the poins race will collect an extra $50,000 with $25,000 going to second.
Before the Denver Open, Hall led with 540 points with Parica trailing by only 15 points. The nearest competitor is Earl Strickland, with 400 points. Even if Strickland wins the tournament, the best he can finish is with 565 points. Hall and Parica both re
ceived 15 points for entering the tournament, and right now both have advanced into the second round of action.
Says Hall of his chances, "I think I'm in a great position to win the series." Although Hall has not won an event on the Camel Pro Billiards Series, he has two runner-up finishes. Parica beat Hall in the finals of the South Jersey Open - a 10-ball event
- as well as capturing the Boston Open.
Parica, of course, likes his chances because Denver is featuring the 10-ball format. "It makes it more even for me because the break is not as important." Parica is not known for having the strongest break but has been practicing rotation to prepare for t
his event. "It will be the biggest event a Filipino has ever won," says Parica, the leading candidate for Player of the Year coming into Denver.
Of course, Parica and Hall could meet in the final. "That would make for a storybook ending," says Hall laughing. "But I hope it's not that dramatic. I hope that he doesn't get as far as me so I don't have to play him in the finals."
Action continues all week from the Denver Merchandise Mart pavilion. Look for more updates throughout the week.
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