The semifinals, games were much more decisive, with both top-bracketed teams of the preliminaries, Gulf Coast Gorillas and Smoke Patrol 507, defeating the challengers, Chronic Chaos( 2-0) and Hawaiian Heat( 5-1) respectively. The stage was now set for the finals.
The Florida based Gulf Coast Gorillas, headed up by the deadly duo Jacob and Jason Edwards, also known as“ The Smash Bros”, now stood up to Smoke Patrol 507 with their killer roster including Ben Challenger, Harrison Frye, Paul Everett, and Blake Yarber.
This was no lackluster final. Hawaiian Heat put up a fight in the consolation match against Chronic Chaos, bringing the official game time to a 3-3 tie. Overtime saw the Hawaiians win the breakout. Up five bodies to four over Chaos, Heat intesified the pressure and dropped two more bodies. Chaos tried a desperate move up the Dorito side, but were stopped short by a dominant Hawaiian team with a full field of players, giving them the 3rd place win and $ 1,000 in cash.
In the championship match up, points went back and forth between Gulf Coast Gorillas and Smoke Patrol 507 as the clock ticked down to zero with a 2-2 tie game. In overtime the Gorillas gained the advantage with a center kill off the break, and then they capitalized on another eliminated body out of the center shortly thereafter. They mopped up the remaining players by moving up the flanks to seal the deal in just over a minute’ s time. With that, the deed was done. Florida came to play and nobody could stop them. Smoke Patrol walked away with the $ 3,000 second place finish. Finally, congrats to the Gulf Coast Gorillas for winning 1st place and taking home the $ 6,000 grand prize.
As we all know, winning is awesome. But there is so much more that goes into making a memorable event. The Hot Triggers Paintball Parkietenbos venue was the perfect location for this event with its pit-side viewing area, massive covered lounging spaces, multiple local food and drink vendors, full bathrooms with shower facilities, and even a volleyball court.
Indy, Rayon and their dedicated team put their hearts and souls into this endeavor. It was apparent from the moment I arrived onsite Wednesday all the way through the final hour at the player’ s party on Sunday evening. Furthermore, on Monday, players, family, referees, and staff were all treated to a seafood luncheon and a sunset sailing excursion in appreciation of their involvement.
If you were there, you know exactly what I’ m talking about. If you missed out, like I did twenty years ago, you owe it to yourself to experience the Aruba International Open next year.
Brandon‘ Blu’ Blouin Blu PB Sports
PbM
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