Pool hall junkies
ASA-DU's nine-ball tournament promotes friendly competition, concludes with exciting finish
Joe Nguyen, editor
May 13, 2007

Photo by Joe Nguyen William Choe fires a shot toward a corner pocket during ASA-DU's pool tournament May 12 at Table Steaks South in Englewood.

ENGLEWOOD – Jared Samuels survived a late comeback attempt by Michael Montgomery to win 3-2 at the University of Denver’s Asian Student Alliance’s nine-ball pool tournament May 12 at Table Steaks South.

The pool tournament brought together an eclectic mix of participants, each with varying skill levels. The double-elimination bracket was set up so that the winner of the winner’s bracket would face the winner of the loser’s bracket for the championship.

“It’s a way to get some friendly competition in the Asian-American community,” ASA vice president Andy Nguyen said.

After dropping the first two games in the finals, Montgomery came back and won the third. Wearing a shirt that said, “New York City Pool Hustler,” he showed his prowess in game four by immediately knocking in the nine ball after Samuels failed to sink any on the break.

With the score tied 2-2, Montgomery went for the win, attempting to sink the nine ball on most of his shots. He paid for his gamble as Samuels calmly put away the balls one by one for the victory in the best-of-five match.

There were 23 participants in the tournament. Nguyen said he was expecting a larger turnout, but felt relieved that there wasn’t.

“We wanted at least 50,” he said, “but imagine if there (were) 50, we’d be here until 10 o’clock at night.”

According to Nguyen, ASA initially planned on hosting this event in order to raise money to bring the hereandnow Theatre Company to DU, but were able to secure funding through other methods. Although they didn’t need to fundraise, there was enough interest in the tournament for the group to proceed.

“We didn’t make a lot of money, but a lot of people had fun,” ASA secretary Kenneth Phi said.

Nguyen added that the group plans on making this an annual event in addition to its basketball tournaments.

ASA will host its next event, which features the hereandnow Theatre Company, at 6:30 p.m., May 18 in the Davis Auditorium (DU's Sturm Hall) at 2000 E. Asbury Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

Joe Nguyen is the editor in chief for AsiaXpress.com. You can contact Joe via e-mail at Joe@asiaxpress.com.