We're onto the final cue-based round of the Tournament. All winners over the next 24 series will enter the medal rounds, with the winners of that going into the Tournament of Champions. This round should take four days to play. We begin with...
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Chicky Phil v. Twinkie III. The red cue's Rotation series is first today between these two veterans. Whitewater's Twinkie III picked up a nice five-ball run-out in game 1 after battling with Pacific's Chicky Phil closely for the first few shots of the game. Twinkie III won the game 8-2, and took a 1-0 series lead with the impressive effort. The Shores' Twinkie III fell flat in game 2, watching as the Volcanoes' Chicky Phil used two quick pairs and a three-ball run to get a large lead before his defense ultimately trapped Twinkie III. After the visitor made illegal contact, Chicky Phil took the 9 at the top right for an 8-2 win to tie the series at 1. Chicky Phil did well to make a rally in game 3 as well, gaining a lead near the end and then tapping in the 13 after Twinkie III missed it to give him the 8-5 win and a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 went quite well for Chicky Phil, who got a nice three-ball run from the break to stake out his lead. Twinkie III would make a late push to catch up, but she fell short, and Chicky Phil won 8-5 to move to a 3-1 series lead. Chicky Phil didn't have as hot of a start in game 5, actually falling behind Twinkie III initially. Chicky Phil did not let the slow start hold him back, as he rallied to pick up the 8-4 win and clinch the series at 4-1. Chicky Phil spent part of game 6 behind as well, but he had gotten to the brink of victory until a scratch on the 12 derailed his efforts. Twinkie III charged back, making the last four balls over two turns for the 8-7 win to cut the series to 4-2. Chicky Phil returned to dominance for the finale, winning with an 8-1 score after a fortunate three-ball run saw him double-pot the 5 and the 7 to the top left and the top right corners. Chicky Phil soon locked it down for a 5-2 series win, earning advancement to the Finals with a 20-7 record on the bracket. Twinkie III is the 102nd player eliminated, and Chicky Phil's third kill.
Subway Arena, Stonebridge: Prism v. Dewey. The blue cue is up next, ready to go in 10-ball between these two rookies. Stonebridge's Prism had a bit of a rough time in game 1, unable to generate offense at a high pace. Oceanside's Dewey didn't have many clear shots, but he had better luck and was able to tap-in the 10 that Prism missed to get the win, as Dewey leads the series 1-0. The Waves' Dewey continued to outpace his mother in attack, as the Wolves' Prism made maybe half as many balls as her son. Dewey tended to operate in pairs of shots, and ended the game as such, making the 8 and then a 9-10 combination to the bottom right for the 2-0 series lead. Prism took a bit of initiative in game 3, doing much better to create her own offense. In the process, she buried Dewey defensively, making it difficult for him to contribute. Prism would get the win on a three-ball run-out after Dewey's illegal contact late in the game, cutting the series to 2-1. Dewey had a nice three-ball run in game 4, with a shot on the 3 so impressive that Prism let Dewey keep possession even though it was uncalled. Prism looked brilliant for this, as her next turn ended in two shots with a 6-10 combination to the top right for the win, tying the series at 2 after the deferred possession option. Game 5 saw an even split of possession in the early going, as both players looked confident. Prism faltered a bit on her second turn, and this opened the door for Dewey, who made a three-ball run-out, ending with a deflected shot off the 6 to take the 10 at the top right for the win. Dewey regained a lead at 3-2. Dewey maintained a strong offense in game 6, although Prism didn't back down from the challenge of keeping up at any point. Prism came close to a win with a well-hit kick attempt on the 10, but it glanced off the rail early and Dewey had a tap-in at the bottom left to win and secure the series at 4-2. Dewey saw his offense give way a bit in the cool-down game 7 effort, but Prism didn't give in at all, eventually striking the 6-10 combination to the bottom right to get the win. Dewey still took the series 4-3, advancing to the Finals with a 17-10 record from the bracket. Prism is the 103rd player eliminated from the Tournament, and Dewey's second kill of the year.
Intel Center, Diamond: Citrus v. Dusky. The silver cue makes its debut in the round with a series of Accuracy. Diamond's Citrus didn't have a particularly bad break in game 1, but the offense was slow to start things off. Eventually, Archtown's Dusky made a ball, and the players remained even until the end, where Citrus' miss led Dusky to a 4-5 win and a 1-0 series lead as she cut in the final ball. The Arrows' Dusky put a drastically different mark on game 2, playing her way to perfection with a ball on the break sparking her into action. The Gems' Citrus was not bad, but her late misses ruined any comeback chance she had, and Dusky won 0-3 for a 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 saw Citrus adjust her play to keep up with another frenetic start from Dusky, and the two exchanged shots evenly until Citrus missed at the bottom side. Citrus would miss at the top side and the top right later on, while Dusky stayed perfect for a second game to push Citrus to the ledge as Dusky holds a 3-0 lead. Dusky and Citrus tangled again with a good performance in game 4, although the players abandoned their hopes for perfection earlier. Dusky was first to fall off the pace, but Citrus fell behind and ran out of time to catch up, dropping the result 2-3 as Dusky clinched the series at 4-0. Game 5 saw a regression to the opening game's level of play, with both player having a stretch of misses in the middle of the game. Things remained even, as they have for most of the series, until Citrus missed each of the last two balls, and Dusky made them to seal a 4-6 win and move to a 5-0 lead in the series. Citrus finally grabbed a sizable lead in game 6, as Dusky couldn't quite lock in her shot. Citrus did well to hold the lead for awhile, but nearly lost it with a pair of late misses. Citrus settled down just enough to win 2-3 over Dusky to get on the board in a 5-1 series. Dusky had a terrible appearance in game 7, missing almost as much as she made her shots, and this allowed Citrus to have a rather easy time for a 2-6 consolation win. Dusky took the series 5-2 to get to the Finals on an 18-9 record on the bracket. Citrus ended an MVP-candidate season as the 104th player eliminated, and Dusky has her first kill this year.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Ms. Kitty v. Stephanie Livilotti. Back on the coast, the red cue plays its 15-ball series for the round. Pacific's Ms. Kitty had a good break in game 1, and the shot led to even offense throughout. Southridge's Stephanie made her fair share of shots, but Ms. Kitty was the one to prevail on a nice 12-13-15 combination to the top right for the 1-0 series lead. The Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty had another decent break in game 2, but the offense was slow to form this time, and the Defenders' Stephanie addressed her impatience with a 3-15 combination after Ms. Kitty had a failed kick shot. Stephanie's quick finish tied the series at 1. Stephanie had a good break for herself in game 3, but the offense again slowed in the early stages. Stephanie seemed to have a bit more luck making shots than Ms. Kitty, but neither was that pleased until Stephanie kicked the 4-15 combination with a deflection off the 5 to the bottom left for a stunning win to go ahead 2-1 in the series. The good breaks dried up in game 4, as Stephanie had a dud this time out. The lack of clear shots caused frustration to rise, particularly for Ms. Kitty, who felt robbed in the last two games. Eventually, Ms. Kitty's higher share of the offense benefited her, as she lined up and made the 11-15 combination to the bottom right to retie the series at 2. Ms. Kitty again experienced a fair amount of frustration from a slow start in game 5. This released itself in a rocketed shot on the 5, but no corresponding burst of offense followed. Stephanie improved later in the game, and she won with a 10-15 combination hit hard to the bottom right to give her another series lead at 3-2. Ms. Kitty didn't take any time to feel sorry for herself, challenging Stephanie again right at the start of game 6. Stephanie did have the better start, but her cluster-buster that nearly made the 15 would be her last positive play. Ms. Kitty pulled off a high-wire eight-ball run full of very close calls before missing the 14. Stephanie missed it too, and Ms. Kitty ended with the last two balls for the win and a series tied at 3. Game 7 featured a lot of short runs after a frustrating beginning. Ms. Kitty's poor break slowed the game down, but both players stayed calm and worked chippy bits of offense. In the end, Ms. Kitty would take the 14-15 combination to the top right for the win and the 4-3 series. Ms. Kitty gets to the Finals with a 17-10 record. Stephanie exits as the 105th player eliminated in a solid rookie year, and Ms. Kitty grabs her second kill of the year.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Ruby v. Lorde. The silver cue is set for some 7-ball between a star and a sophomore. Archtown's Ruby wasted no time in getting on the board in game 1, making the 6 and 7 to the top right on the break for the win and a 1-0 series over a flustered Lorde of Commerce. Game 2 took a bit more time to get through, as the Arrows' Ruby went empty on the break this time. Ruby did dominate in possession, led by a three-ball run in the middle of the game, but she scratched when she shot at the 6, and the Tradewinds' Lorde made the last two shots to get the win and tie the series at 1. In game 3, Lorde needed just two shots to pick up the win. On the break, she made the 2 to the bottom right and the 4 to the bottom left, and then used the 1 and 3 as deflecting agents to drive the 7 to the top right for the win and a 2-1 series lead over Ruby. Lorde had a decent break in game 4, but she wasn't able to get much offense going, and Ruby happily filled the void. Ruby went on a four-ball run-out at the end, the sudden surge putting her in a win and tying the series at 2. Lorde had the better of play in game 5, but not by much, her defense being the primary cause of her success. Still, defense only goes so far, and Ruby made a late rally with a well-hit three-ball run-out to get the win and reclaim the series lead at 3-2 with the pivotal result. Ruby made a ball on the break in game 6, and looked to be aiming for a run, but she missed on the 1. Lorde got the 1 and 2 on her turn, but missed on the 3, and Ruby ignited with some cuts for a four-ball run-out and the win to secure the series at 4-2. Game 7 was slow going for both sides, as neither had much urgency to get the win. Lorde had a chance to win late, but Ruby locked down the win after Lorde under-hit the 7 to the top right. Ruby took the series 5-2, advancing to the Finals with an 18-9 record on the bracket. Lorde is the 106th player eliminated this season, and Ruby earned her third kill of the year, a team kill.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Dani v. Celestia. The blue cue ends its day with a series of 9-ball. Oceanside's Celestia had the first burst of offense in game 1 with a quick five-ball run to assert herself, but that would be the last of her positive play. Web City's Dani took over in the end, getting the win with a three-ball run-out for a 1-0 series lead after Celestia dropped off. The Spiders' Dani started game 2 as she left off at the end of game 1, making a six-ball run from the break in great form. The Waves' Celestia tried to answer, but her only made shot also featured a scratch, and Dani made the last two shots to get the win and a 2-0 series lead. Dani continued to pace the attack in game 3, scoring most of the balls, including five of the last six over two turns, but Celestia picked up the one she couldn't make. Celestia struck the 9 to the top left after Dani left it near the top side, with Celestia's good play cutting the series to 2-1. Dani had a slow start in game 4, watching as Celestia handled most of the offense early on in single-shot turns. Dani finally found her shot on the 5, and began a five-ball run-out from there, breezing past the slower-paced Celestia to grab a win and push the series lead to 3-1. Dani produced a couple of dangerous chances on the 9 early in game 5, but neither of them fell, instead leaving it sitting on the top right edge. Celestia stormed back into the game with a five-ball run-out, ending on an 8-9 combination to the top right for the win, which pulled her back to 3-2 in the competitive series. Both Celestia and Dani thought Dani would get the game 6 win after a scratch by Celestia put a halt to her three-ball run in a late rally. Dani made the 7 and 8 from ball-in-hand, but the 9 didn't fall for her, and Celestia got the tap-in to tie the series at 3, giving each player a chance in a pivotal finale. Game 7 saw Dani go out her way to get the game early, making the 9 with a deflection of the cue off the 5 after a fairly contested start. Celestia was fine with taking the 4-3 series loss, which puts Dani in the Finals on a 17-10 bracket record. Celestia is the 107th player to be eliminated, and Dani earned her second kill of the year.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Boots v. Rainmane. The last series today is in Rotation, using the silver cue. Midland's Rainmane got off to a great start with a three-ball run in game 1, staking out a lead for herself, but multiple misses in the middle of the game, and a four-ball run by Pearl's Boots, turned the tides. Boots excelled late, and while Rainmane had a short rally, Boots capped the win at 8-6 for a 1-0 series lead. The Predators' Rainmane had an even tougher battle on her hand in game 2, as the Surfers' Boots held the lead until about mid-game. Rainmane took over after a scratch by Boots, and eventually closed the door with an 8-5 win to tie the series at 1. Rainmane pulled out to a nice lead again in game 3, attacking well at the start, but Boots would not fade easily, taking a three-ball run to tie the game late before illegal contact on the 15 ruined the comeback. Rainmane made the 13 and 14 from ball-in-hand to get the 8-6 win, pulling ahead at 2-1 in the series. Rainmane continued with the visually impressive breaks, and she built up a lead that weathered two comeback tries by Boots later in game 4. Boots came close on the first attempt, and then a three-ball run after Rainmane's illegal contact did briefly tie the game. Boots missed on the 13 at the top side though, and Rainmane tapped it in and then the 14 at the bottom left to get the 8-6 win and a 3-1 series lead. Rainmane had two rookie-like mistakes in game 5, moving the breaking paper with a ball on it early on, and then picking up the cue despite a scratch not having occurred. Boots made shots off of both mistakes, and a nice early run helped her cause as she won 8-3 to get back into the 3-2 series. Boots built up a massive lead in game 6, working quite well on as she worked to keep momentum. Things changed on the 9, as Boots missed it and Rainmane sparked a six-ball run to take the lead, and then made the last ball for an 8-6 win to clinch the series rather suddenly at 4-2. Boots had a very big burst of offense early in game 7, and Rainmane elected to just let it slide from there. Boots' highlight came with a double-pot of the 6 and 11 to the top left on a deflection, a great play that put her onto the final shots in the 8-1 win. Rainmane still took the series 4-3, completing an 18-9 effort on the bracket to advance to the Finals. Rainmane also picked up her third kill of the year, taking out the league leader in that stat, as Boots is the 108th eliminated player.
That's all for today's games. We should have some cricket on tonight.
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