Game Breaker 2 Continues Phenomenal Performance…

First Impressions
Yes, this Phenom Pearl is what I was looking for to compliment the MVP and Solid Gamebreaker 2!

Our Testers:
Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Slightly Rev Dominant Tweener
RPM: 375 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.0 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds

Thanks to Greg Bickta and Perfect Aim Pro Shop for drilling our equipment.
Thanks to Limerick Bowl, Limerick, PA for providing the test lanes.

“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”

Test Pattern:
40ft THS, 24ml

Value
9/10
With the enhanced V2 core being the basis for Ebonite’s midline, they have found a fantastic value proposition. Despite being evolutionary as opposed to revolutionary, it works. Why change a winning formula?

Specs
The Ebonite Gamebreaker 2 Phenom Pearl uses the Enhanced V2 weight block along with GB 11.2 Pearl coverstock. Cover is finished with a 500/1000 Abralon® Polished w/Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish. For a 15lb ball, it has an RG of 2.48, diff of .048. The test ball is 14 pound with 2.49 and .048 specs.

Overall
9/10
The Phenom Pearl has really added something special to Ebonite’s middle performance line. Let me explain. So clearly Ebonite has a winning core formula which is a backbone here. So it started with the GB 10.7 coverstock which goes back to The One. This was the first Gamebreaker 2 when Ebonite adjusted the core to comply with the USBC core limits. We’ve seen the MVP with the 10.7 hybrid and the Gold with the 10.7 Pearl. Ebonite one-upped themselves with a more potent 11.2 cover. My first thought was can you really make the Gamebreaker 2 better with a new solid? I think the answer was yes but specifically to the 11.2 pearl, this really is something else. Ebonite has created a coverstock formula that has that clean look but powerful reaction downlane, blended with a midlane reading core. That makes the ball “right” everywhere.

So what did we see? Firstly this ball is stronger than you would think. It is stronger than the Gold, stronger than the MVP, and even more pop downlane than the solid GB2. The new cover has the clean look up front where you don’t feel like it will bite early. The core gets it revving up in the midlane while the cover still allows push through the mids. This balance allows for a very strong move down lane. Honestly, it reminds me a lot of the Storm Marvel Pearl and that is definitely a compliment.

As always with the V2 or Enhanced V2 core, you throw it having confidence it rolls nicely because of that midlane control. It’s always been my favorite core if not one of the top 2. I was hopeful but when I threw the Phenom Pearl, it confirmed the perfect balance of core to cover. This is the kind of reaction that you have to love having in your bag. You take some liberties in assuming the versatility of this core and by the nature of our testing we can see the characteristics of this cover matching nicely.

We had a chance to compare to the Gamebreaker 2 MVP and Gamebreaker 2. It covers several more boards than the MVP. The MVP is that kind of benchmark ball that’s not too strong and not too weak but it does have a bit of a hook set motion for me. That means that there’s a wall that when you hit it deep enough, it just won’t continue to carry the corners. The Phenom Pearl is as clean but has a stronger arcy move and more continuous. It was difficult to find the wall where it just won’t carry anymore. The Gamebreaker 2 covers about the same boards but with an earlier and a bit smoother roll, but the solid also hits a wall sooner because it will roll out covering too many boards. The Phenom Pearl generated 7 degrees of entry angle, while the MVP, 5.6 degrees and the Game Breaker 2, 6 degrees.

Phenom Pearl = Dark Blue
MVP = Medium Blue
Gamebreaker 2 = Light Blue

In terms of miss room, it was about the same in or out which again is the hallmark of a very balanced piece of equipment.

Final Thoughts
If you couldn’t tell, we really like the Ebonite Gamebreaker 2 Phenom Pearl. I hate saying the whole name! Time will tell but the Phenom Pearl looks like it could be a major hit the way the Marvel Pearl was for Storm. It’s an eerily similar formula to success, a low RG early revving symmetric core, a clean but strong pearl cover. If the shoe fits…