Random Thoughts on Day 1 (Spoilers!) Posted on September 6, 2025 at 09:49:35 PM by jatna77
1) I am so very glad that Jairo/Lopez lost. Why? Because I despise their defensive style of all catching and hard throwing and no shooting. Why? Firstly, it bores the ever-living-fuck out of me. Secondly, its success requires the other team to fall into the trap of trying to out catch Jairo/Lopez, which is a losing proposition for apparently everyone except for Salegi/Arbe.
I will fully admit that when other teams fall into the catching game trap with them, it is a very effective approach. But when they lost, they lost because of opposing front-courter attacking play. That is how Zulaika beat them. That is how Urrutia beat them. I have to re-watch the Salegi/Arbe game to see how they did it.
2) Jairo: I dub thee the most boring front-courter in all of Jai-Alai. Even Ikeda threw more shots than you.
3) Credit, where it is due: Lopez's anticipation aka court placement, was absolutely, ridiculously good. Wow.
4) Also, Lopez has a real weapon with that sidearm, long cortada. It is brutally punishing on the short-court. If only Aratz had such a weapon!
5) Goixerri was fairly disappointing. Stop with the early unforced errors Goixerri! Also your drop shots and short inside placements were much too high. Take a lesson from Douglas. His drops shots were impeccable.
6) Aratz was amazing and showed so much heart. Stay Golden Aratz!
7) Speaking of heart, Bailo's determination and catching really stood out for me. Mucho Bailo!
8) Urrutia looked much better than he did in the second half of the last Battle Court season. I am so happy that he is getting more comfortable out there because I love his playing style. I hope it is a permanent adjustment. Nicolas kicked ass as expected!
9) I find it strange that Douglas played so agressivly and well against Zulaika/Ubilla. He gave them no respect and destroyed them 7-0. But, he did not play nearly as aggressively in any of his other games.
If I remember correctly, Douglas was beating Jairo/Lopez 3-0 with similar aggressive play but then he fell into the catching game trap and lost.
10) Zulaika only made one unforced error that I can remember and I think that that, and his intelligent mixing of quality shots, are the keys to his success. Beautiful drop shots, high and low split placements, inside and outside placements, he was in fine form. Ubilla played well too, except for the Benny/Douglas game.
11) I was impressed with how well Libois (a front-courter) played in the back. Both he and Benetrix have adjusted to the MC court so fast! And they beat Douglas/Benny on their home court!
12) I was blown away by how crazy good Salegi was. And Arbe has scary fast reflexes. He made some impossible catches.
13) It is so good to see Inaki/Manu playing well together. Inaki made much fewer (1?) unforced errors than he has for a long time. They both looked in great form.
14) The scores absolutely do not tell how hard some of those games were fought .
15) I think that so far, this has been the best Super Court tournament yet. Thank you Mr. Savin!
Tiger's Jai-Alai Chalk Talk
