Hi, Ho, Sylver, Away!

By InsidePOOL Staff

When Sylver Ochoa speared the final 9 ball into the corner pocket and brought closure to the 2004 Fast Eddie's 9-Ball season, he also gave himself the clear spot as definite contender in 2005.  Ochoa ended the season o­n December 5 with a win, giving credence to what Denis Strickland said after Ochoa won the first event of the year:  "Man, this kid really is the complete package."

Fast Eddie's in San Antonio, TX, was the setting for the final showdown, and the field was full of the area's top players.  Ochoa and James Davis Jr. and Sr. were among the early favorites to take the event, and all three came back for Sunday's decisive matches.  Davis Jr. bowed out first, along with Russell Killgo, to finish tied for seventh. 

An up-and-coming Eduardo Ramirez also brought his "A" game, and, with wins over Charlie Mora and Scott Kephart, was a contender until the last few matches when Dave Henson ousted him 7-3.  Henson then waited for an opponent in the semifinals.

Ochoa and Davis, two of the season's top players, fittingly met in the finals.  In the double-elimination finals, Davis took the hard-fought first set 9-7, forcing a decisive second set.  Ochoa jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but Davis wasn't going without a fight.  After a break-and-run and another win, Davis got to within o­ne at 5-4.  The following rack might have been the breaking point of the match, as Ochoa miscued o­n the 4 ball, leaving what appeared to be an early run out for Davis.  However, Davis fouled and Ochoa controlled the rest of the match, winning 9-5. 

Results:
1st Sylver Ochoa $3,100
2nd James Davis Sr. $2,220
3rd David Henson $1,500
4th Eduardo Ramirez $850
5th Robert Newkirk, Scott Kephart $380
7th Russell Killgo, James Davis Jr. $125

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