We're up for likely one of the lighter days this week. I can guarantee 40 games played, but getting to 50 will depend on fitness. We begin with...
Ford Forum, Pronger: Spot v. Jake. The blue cue gets the opening series today, playing 9-ball for this one. Pronger's Spot did well in game 1, making a ball on the break and generally keeping Royal's Jake away from the good shots. Jake had a chance to get a run going, but missed the catalyst shot, and Spot executed the five-ball run-out for the win instead, giving himself a 1-0 series lead. The Tridents' Spot maintained an advantage in possession in game 2, although he lacked the dangerous late run. The Crowns' Jake did get a chance on the 9, but he couldn't convert it, and Spot was there to make it on his second try to take a 2-0 series lead. Jake had his best start in game 3, making a three-ball run on his first turn, but after a contested mid-game portion, Spot emerged once again, taking a four-ball run-out for the win as he clinched the series at 3-0. Jake started well again in game 4, driving play in the early going, but Spot bounced back quickly with a three-ball run-out that ended on a 6-9 bank combination to the top side to give him a 4-0 series lead. Spot continued to excel throughout game 5, dominating possession again and leaving Jake shattered at the end as Spot banked the 8 to the bottom left and the 9 to the top side for the win and a 5-0 series sweep. Spot's performance earns him the right to host the Stonebridge Wolves captain Juno at this venue for an Eastern Hills divisional in the bracket quarterfinals. Jake's unceremonious sweep also marked the end of his Tournament, the 23rd player eliminated, and Spot's league-leading second kill of the year.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Isabella v. Rosalina. The blue cue stays at the table as rookies meet in Accuracy. Game 1 was an absolute disaster after Atlantic's Isabella produced a bad break. Diamond's Rosalina took the worst of it, hanging on for awhile early on before a late slide saw her take the loss by a 4-8 score. Isabella's ugly win gave her a 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Rosalina showed some resentment toward the Pirates' Isabella for such a brutal first game. Rosalina buried Isabella early in game 2, forcing the host into four straight misses before easing up. Rosalina needed each of these, as Isabella made an aggressive push late, but ultimately, Rosalina won 4-6 to tie the series at 1. In game 3, the shooting was good at the very start, and the players each remained perfect at the halfway mark. Rosalina slipped up first, but Isabella slipped up more often, crashing badly in the back half of the game as Rosalina ended up winning 2-5 to move ahead 2-1 in the series. Rosalina kept up her attack in game 4, as Isabella tried to pressure her early but couldn't make it work, and Rosalina played very well to stymie Isabella in the middle. Rosalina clinched the series at 3-1 with this 2-6 win. Game 5 was also a disaster, with Rosalina falling behind quickly to Isabella, who barely held on in the end for the 5-6 win. Rosalina took the sloppy series 3-2, advancing to visit the Torpedoes' Whiskers at Nissan Hall in Infinity in the bracket quarterfinals.
Apple Center, Todavía: Bells v. Rosalina. The Gems rookie takes the blue cue with her on the road for Rotation against a Stills newcomer. Todavía's Bells had a good start for game 1, making a three-ball run on her second turn. Diamond's Rosalina answered slowly at first, but didn't need much time before rallying with a seven-ball run-out to take the game 8-3 for a 1-0 series lead. Rosalina didn't have the same comeback mentality in game 2, instead grabbing the lead early and holding on. The Stills' Bells didn't make it easy, leaving Rosalina with tough shots late in the game until the 13 was in tap-in range for Rosalina to win 8-5, giving her a 2-0 series lead. Bells refused to go quietly, dominating the early part of game 3. Rosalina had a chance to tie it, but her shot resulted in a scratch, and Bells pulled away for good, eventually winning 8-4 to cut the series to 2-1. Bells continued to attack pretty well in game 4, building up a couple of early runs to keep Rosalina down. Rosalina didn't help herself all that much, and Bells walked away with an 8-3 win after Rosalina left a good shot for her, enough to tie the series at 2. Rosalina had to be tough in game 5, as Bells quickly recovered from the scratch on her break that negated two potted balls. Bells had the lead and got to the brink of victory, only for Rosalina to tie it on a three-ball run before making the 15 on her next turn for the 8-7 win. Rosalina took the series 3-2, advancing to visit the Victoria Spurs captain Spice at Sprint Hall in the bracket quarterfinals.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Starlight v. Juno. The silver cue gets its turn to play between these two captains in 10-ball. Pacific's Starlight had a good start in game 1, but things faded quickly from here. Stonebridge's Juno chipped away at possession, but neither player had much claim to the win until Juno potted the 10 after Starlight's miss at the top left. Juno took the 1-0 series lead. The Volcanoes' Starlight played a bit better in game 2, pairing up her made shots with more authority. The Wolves' Juno didn't provide much in the way of a response, and her illegal contact while shooting at the 8 led Starlight to make the last two balls from ball-in-hand for the win and a series tied at 1. Starlight didn't make anything off an improved break in game 3, but she had a grip on the game nonetheless. Juno couldn't make a ball before Starlight made her early four-ball run-out, ending with a 4-10 cut combination to the top side for the impressive winner, and Starlight now leads the series 2-1. Starlight had more of an accidental win in game 4, bringing an unexpected win to the tough game. Juno made only light contact on the 2 near the bottom right, but Starlight managed to cut it in from a bad angle and also send the 10 unintentionally to the top side for the series-clinching win at 3-1. Starlight scratched on the break in game 5, but she was able to keep an even game with Juno for the early parts of it. Starlight broke free at the end, picking up the win with a three-ball run-out to take the series 4-1. Starlight faces another captain in the bracket quarterfinals, hosting the Westside Rockers' Misty at this venue.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Acorn v. Juno. The Wolves captain completes her doubleheader a bit to the south against the Prestige captain in 8-ball with the silver cue. Stonebridge's Juno did pretty well in game 1, holding off a good break from Lighton's Acorn with short choppy runs and passable defense. Frustrated, Acorn could only watch when Juno made the last two shots to win for a 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Acorn struck first in game 2, make a three-ball run, but he couldn't connect much after that. The Wolves' Juno fired back on a seven-ball run that Acorn couldn't fully answer, and Juno then tapped in the 8 on her third turn of the game to win, pushing her lead to 2-0. Acorn stepped up well in game 3 against Juno, who had a couple of short runs before having to take a cautious approach to the game. Acorn used just enough defense and a three-ball run-out when the defense proved successful, grabbing the win with the 8 in the top right to make it a 2-1 series. In game 4, Juno gave Acorn no hopes of coming back in the series. Acorn couldn't make a shot despite having a decent break, and Juno rallied with a six-ball run to put him on the edge. Acorn failed again, and Juno completed the shutout by banking the 8 to the bottom side, securing the series in her favor at 3-1. Juno had an early rally in game 5, with a six-ball run on her second turn. Acorn didn't worry too much, playing defense until he made a seven-ball run, coming just wide at the bottom side on his bank attempt for the 8. Juno blasted it in to win, taking the series 4-1 herself. Juno will return home at Subway Arena in Stonebridge to host the Everton Eagles' Blizzard in the bracket quarterfinals. Juno has her first kill of the year with this win as well, as Acorn is the 24th player eliminated from the Tournament.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Wings v. Slinks. These two club mates play the only series with the red cue today in 10-ball. Pearl's Wings really struggled at the start of game 1, unable to string his shots together with any purpose. He made a late three-ball run, but Westside's Slinks would get the 9 and 10 for the win, giving her a 1-0 series lead with the decent finish. The Rockers' Slinks didn't have a great break, but did this more to frustrate the Surfers' Wings for most of the game. Slinks came up with a nice five-ball run-out, ending on a deflected shot off the 6 and 8 that saw the 10 fall in the bottom right and the 6 in the top left for the win and a 2-0 series lead. Wings had game 3 lined up and ready to be won, but missed a poke-shot on the 9 toward the top right, and Slinks came in to make the last two balls, giving her the series-clinching win at a 3-0 lead in the series after a strong performance. Wings had some pressure near the end of game 4, trying to get something to fall from Slinks, but the visitor wouldn't let it happen, making five of the last six balls for the win and a 4-0 series lead. Slinks dominated possession again in game 5, with a five-ball run in the middle. It still seemed as if Wings would have a chance to answer, but he missed on the 10, allowing Slinks to tap it in for the 5-0 series sweep. Slinks advances to the bracket quarterfinals, where she'll host the Eastside Sharks captain Chelsea at Westside's BMW RockDome in the Pick Your Side Derby.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Starlight v. Jennifer Livilotti. A big-name match is up, with the silver cue in for more 8-ball. Pacific's Starlight had a slow start in game 1, and needed to play patiently. Lucky for her, Terrace City's Jennifer couldn't carry her momentum for long, and Starlight made a five-ball run-out at the end for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Volcanoes' Starlight had noticeable issues in game 2 with placing her shots, pulling many of them wide. This allowed the Knights' Jennifer to make short runs throughout the game until she picked up the win with a tap-in on the 8 to tie the series at 1. Jennifer had to hold her own after a slow start in game 3, watching as Starlight assembled a five-ball run and got very close on the 8. Jennifer just had enough time at the end with a counterattack, making a pair of three-ball runs to get the win when she sank the 8 at the bottom right. Jennifer now leads the close series 2-1. Starlight had a hot start in game 4, but couldn't make it last all game, as Jennifer fired back with urgency. In the end, Starlight played just enough defense to stall Jennifer before Starlight made the last two shots for a narrow win, retying the series at 2. Starlight couldn't get anything on the game 5 break, and this proved to be critical, as Jennifer chose solids and then made all eight shots in a single turn for the win, giving herself the 3-2 series win with the late burst. Jennifer will be on the road in the bracket quarterfinals, facing the winner of today's final series.
Audi Hall, Terrace City: Stripes v. Gradley. The last series before a short break is in 15-ball, and is the blue cue's last of the week. Terrace City's Stripes had a three-ball run from the break and a four-ball run on her next turn, but slowed down after that in the later half of game 1. Boston's Gradley didn't make a lot of shots, but he had the last two for the win, stealing a 1-0 series lead for himself. The Swifts' Gradley did a bit more of the heavy lifting in game 2, and each player made a strong four-ball run to help the pace of the game along. The Knights' Stripes had her run in the middle, while Gradley's came near the end, with him missing the 15 and Stripes cleaning it up to tie the series at 1. Game 3 seemed to confirm the pattern emerging in the series so far, with Stripes excelling just after her bad break in a congested environment, but Gradley taking over with a couple of nice runs after things cleared up. This pattern will favors Gradley if there's no early finish, and Gradley did get the win after Stripes missed on the 15 this time, giving Gradley the 2-1 series lead. Gradley managed to infringe on Stripes' territory a bit in game 4. Gradley did well immediately after the break, lulling a bit after the 8 and then returning to form at the end with a four-ball run-out for the win to secure the series at 3-1. Gradley didn't have the strongest performance in game 5, instead watching Stripes show her flair with a four-ball run mostly of deflected shots, and a pair of finishing shots to get the win. Gradley still took the series win at 3-2, and will return home to host his bracket quarterfinals series. Stripes is the 25th player to be eliminated so far, and this is Gradley's first kill of the year.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Delila v. Potter. Eastern Hills rivals meet in 15-ball with the silver cue after the break. Atlantic's Delila had an alright break in game 1, but the pace of play suffered throughout, as neither player showed much in the way of command. Over time, Pronger's Potter strengthened his shot, and he ended up with the win when Delila couldn't make the 15. Potter leads the series 1-0. The Pirates' Delila saw an improved performance in game 2, making more of her shots and stringing together a couple of runs. The Tridents' Potter did not back down though, again swooping in at the end to pick up the win with a one-off shot on the 15. Potter now has a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 saw a reversion back to the slower pace of the first game, as Delila didn't have her best shot going. Potter also lacked the decisive runs he enjoyed earlier, and this made for a sloppy start. Delila made that a distant memory with a late four-ball run-out to get the win after Potter missed on the 12. This made it a 2-1 series. Delila ignited her offense in the latter half of game 4, making the final nine balls over three turns while Potter went silent. Delila started the burst with a four-ball run, and the last turn was a three-ball run-out for the win, helping her to tie the series at 2. Delila kept herself going quite well, charging through game 5 with a clear intent in mind. Potter got a few shots in, but couldn't stop Delila's 11-15 combination to the top side for the win. Delila came all the way back to win the series 3-2, and will host the Westside Rockers' Slinks in the bracket quarterfinals at this venue.
House of 10 Windows, Del Sur: Pounce v. Tigerette. A son faces his own mother in 8-ball with the silver cue in today's last series. Southern's Pounce had a slow start in game 1, while Commerce's Tigerette charged forward on a three-ball run. Pounce eventually found his shot on a six-ball run, but Tigerette fired back with a five-ball run-out in her second surge to get the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Monarchs' Pounce had a nightmarish game 2, not making anything on two turns, and then potting the 8 illegally on the next one to gift a win to the Tradewinds' Tigerette. With Pounce's generosity, Tigerette now leads the series 2-0. The generosity went the other way in game 3, as Tigerette got frustrated with a lack of a clear shot and blasted into a cluster, which applied Murphy's Law as the 8 fell in the top right to give away the win to Pounce. This made it 2-1 in the series, although Pounce had played relatively well to that point anyway. In game 4, a shaky start occurred. Pounce couldn't solidify his shot at all, and while Tigerette struggled at the start, she wouldn't stay down for long. Tigerette pulled off a six-ball run-out at one point to get the win, clinching the series at 3-1 with her excellent surge. Pounce did well in game 5, but nearly saw his five-ball run go to waste as Tigerette came close to attacking the 8. Tigerette still took the series 3-2, and returns home to Nike Field Events Center in Commerce to host the Terrace City Knights' Jennifer in an Urban Divisional. Pounce is the 26th player eliminated this year, and Tigerette's first kill.
That's all for this one today. Tomorrow will definitely have only 40 games on the slate.
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