We're onto the second day of the bracket finals, with two players experiencing doubleheaders today. We begin with one of those instances with the series in...
House of 10 Windows, Del Sur: Panda v. Rosalina. The blue cue makes the start today, setting the Finals for Rotation with the result. Southern's Panda did not have a bad start to game 1, but Diamond's Rosalina both shot well and had three or four lucky bounces go her way. This led Rosalina to a fairly effortless 8-3 win, putting her ahead 1-0 in the series. The Monarchs' Panda shot back immediately with a three-ball run on his first turn in game 2. The Gems' Rosalina looked ready for a counterattack, but she scratched as she made the 4, and Panda picked up a five-ball run-out from ball-in-hand for the 8-0 win to tie the series at 1. Game 3 saw the tightest start yet, as neither player could really get going. Panda had the initial lead, as Rosalina suffered a couple of scratches in the game that slowed her down. Eventually, Panda's lead had strength, and he added a three-ball run after Rosalina's second scratch. The 9 proved tricky for Panda, but he scored it for an 8-2 win and a 2-1 series lead. Panda made two impressive shots in game 4, the 1-2 bank combination that deflected the 1 off the 8 and the top rail to sink the 2 in the bottom side, and the 5-11-8 kick combination to the top right. Panda continued his strong play deep into the game, staying patient amid difficulty with making his last ball, which he eventually converted on the 11 to win 8-3 for a 3-1 lead in the series. Rosalina returned the favor from game 2 in game 5, happily taking half her turns from ball-in-hand as Panda had a sudden breakout of scratches. Panda couldn't get his offense going at all, allowing Rosalina to take the game 8-0 and cut the series to 3-2. Panda pushed his way back into the fight after a bad break from Rosalina kept game 6 played in mostly close quarters. Panda muscled his way to a lead, and Rosalina couldn't keep up with him, her late rally coming up short as he won 8-5. Panda clinched the series at 4-2. Panda kept a controlling stake of the offense in game 7, pushing Rosalina around at times to pick up the 8-4 win for a 5-2 series win. Panda heads off to the Finals on a 22-5 record from the bracket, tying the highest mark under this form of competition.
Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Gradley v. Rosalina. The Gems rookie heads on the road for Accuracy, taking the blue cue with her to meet a tough Swifts foe. Diamond's Rosalina had a similar start in this series, holding even with Boston's Gradley for most of the game and doing her part to force overtime, where Gradley's empty break made it easy for Rosalina to take a 1-2 win for a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 also went to overtime, but it was more due to sloppiness running rampant on both sides. The Gems' Rosalina had a chance to keep things under control, but a bad string of turns forced the tie, and Rosalina scratched on the overtime break. Gradley happily took the win by a 5-6 score to tie the series at 1. In game 3, Rosalina was better able to return to strong form, playing well despite an early miss while Gradley faltered in the middle of the game. Both players finished well, with Rosalina winning 1-3 to take the series lead back at 2-1. Rosalina had a lead for much of game 4, but the offense slowed dramatically at the end, and she fell into a tie. Gradley made sure the tie lasted to overtime, getting a critical double-pot of the 14 to the bottom left and the 15 to the top side, giving Rosalina the overtime break. She went empty, and Gradley wove the 7 through traffic to win 4-5 and tie the series at 2. Rosalina kept the alternating pattern going with her performance in game 5, playing an excellent effort while holding a lead for most of the game. Gradley got Rosalina to trip up once, but she held on for the 1-2 win from there to reclaim the series lead at 3-2. Rosalina was doomed from the break in game 6, as she made a ball but also scratched. Gradley didn't let up until the lead was significant, and Rosalina didn't clamp down to get back into the game. Gradley emerged with a 4-6 win, once again tying the series at 3 before the decisive game. Gradley finally found a way to play well and get the win, taking an early miss from Rosalina and making it be the only one for the game. Gradley won 0-1 with a bank on the 11 to the top side, giving him the series 4-3 and a 16-11 total record on the bracket as he heads to the Finals.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Twilight v. Leonette. The blue cue gets another series in this 7-ball battle between fiery competitors. Central's Twilight had almost no offense in game 1, allowing Pacific's Leonette to be calmly dominant in the game. Leonette had a good run initially, but took her time later in the game in her march to the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Warriors' Twilight played much better in game 2, with a pair of three-ball runs, but her late scratch, which matched a scratch on the break by the Volcanoes' Leonette, led Leonette to the win with a shot on the 7 from ball-in-hand. Leonette now holds a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 saw the most balanced effort yet, which culminated in a back-and-forth battle on the 7. Twilight missed it twice before Leonette potted it on her second try to get the win after picking up her pace late in the game, with the win giving Leonette a 3-0 lead in the series. Twilight kept her wits about her as she feels the pressure of the series mounting, and she had all but one ball this game, thankfully including the 7 this time on a three-ball run-out to pair with an early three-ball run. Leonette made the 4, but couldn't get anything else as her series lead shrinks to 3-1. Twilight's hopes of advancing finally died in game 5, as her two-rail kick attempt on the 4 instead hit the 7 into the top left illegally. Leonette hadn't had a great game, but she benefited from Twilight's mistake as the series fell into her lap at 4-1. Twilight easily made quick work of game 6, needing just one shot to pick up the consolation win as she deflected the cue off the 1 to tap the 7 in at the top right after Leonette's break. This made it a 4-2 series. Leonette nearly took the game in a single turn in game 7, working a six-ball run, but the 7 proved tricky. Leonette missed it three times, and Twilight took it on her third try to get the win and end the series at 4-3. Leonette went 16-11 on the bracket to advance to the Finals. Twilight is the 109th player eliminated from the Tournament, and Leonette recorded her fourth kill of the year to join the league lead, tripling as a team kill on the Warriors and a club kill on Reality.
Apple Center, Todavía: Bells v. Nightfur. A highly-anticipated 15-ball series is set to go as the silver cue's only series today. Royal's Nightfur put in a fabulous effort in game 1, with a four-ball run near the start of things, a slight tapering-off to allowed Todavía's Bells some possession, and then a surge with a six-ball run-out that gave Nightfur the 1-0 series lead with the win. The Crowns' Nightfur had a lucky shot for the win in game 2, materializing as the Stills' Bells tried a misguided 3-15 combination attempt that left the two balls in line at the top left. Nightfur put in a solid shot and converted, going ahead 2-0 in the series. Game 3 favored short runs on both sides, although each player had a run of three or more balls as well. In the end, the offense slowed, culminating in Bells making the 15 after Nightfur left it standing after she made the 14. Bells' opportunistic shooting helped her get back into the 2-1 series. Game 4 saw a terrible break from Bells, causing a very slow start to ensue. Nightfur took over right around the 5, sparking herself to a five-ball run that gave her a large possession share, and a relatively even finish tipped to Nightfur as well, as Bells missed on the 15 on her final turn. Nightfur tapped it in to win and take a 3-1 series lead. Bells improved her offense a bit in game 5, keeping more even with Nightfur in the early going. Nightfur backed off a bit late, initiating a trap that Bells walked right into, with Nightfur scratching on the 13. Bells made it and the 14, but her bank on the 15 failed, giving Nightfur a straight shot for the win that she converted to clinch the series at 4-1. Game 6 saw a bad break from Nightfur, plus general apathy given the knowledge of the series result, lead to a slow and lethargic game. Nightfur eventually picked up the pace later, winning on a three-ball run-out to just beat out Bells, earning a 5-1 series lead. Nightfur didn't have a great break in game 7 either, but when Bells had a shot that put the 15 dangerously close to the bottom side, Nightfur deflected the cue off the 1 to pot the 15 there and get the win. Nightfur's 6-1 series win lifted her bracket score to 19-8 as she heads to the Finals. Bells is the 110th player knocked out this year, with Nightfur claiming her third kill of the year, a team kill on the Stills.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Zach v. Hughbert. The other player with a doubleheader today begins on the road with 12-ball and the blue cue right here. Pronger's Zach weathered an early attack from Southridge's Hughbert, as he appeared well-prepared to charge. Zach countered on a four-ball run, disrupting Hughbert's offense just enough to buy time to make the last two balls. Zach's smart playing got him the win and a 1-0 lead in the series. Game 2 featured a slower pace despite the Tridents' Zach making a ball on the break this time. The Defenders' Hughbert had a nice burst early, but tweaked his base wrist on a long shot, and the minor injury hampered him. Zach responded well, and won with a three-ball run-out from ball-in-hand after Hughbert missed contact on one of his last two balls. Zach has a 2-0 advantage now. Zach had a sloppy break, double-potting at the bottom right before giving away a wild-card ball on the next shot. Hughbert tried to press with the edge, but he couldn't seem to get around Zach's loose defense. Eventually, Zach claimed position on his shots and made the last two to grab the win when Hughbert's bank on the 12 failed. Zach overcame his disadvantage to push his series lead to 3-0. Hughbert received another wild-card ball at the start of game 4, but it didn't stop Zach from pushing forward in an earnest attack. A scratch did slow Zach down, but Hughbert also gave away his wild-card ball. From here, Hughbert picked off his five shots while Zach tried to get into position, cutting the series to 3-1. Hughbert's comeback was short-lived, as Zach had an apparent plan in game 5. Zach attacked pretty well early on, getting a three-ball run that Hughbert soon answered. It was the second half of the game that set Zach apart, as he patiently positioned his shots, waited for Hughbert to falter, and then made his last two balls from ball-in-hand, using the 6 to deflect the cue toward the 1 at the bottom right as he potted the 6. Zach's savvy play earned him the series at 4-1. Game 6 took a bit more time to develop, and the players took a methodical stance early on. Hughbert had a defensive advantage for much of the game, until he made a ball at the bottom right. Zach broke free from here, getting a favorable position to do a four-ball run-out at all of the corners for the win and a 5-1 lead. Hughbert had the advantage again in game 7, but it again went to waste as he couldn't get his shots just right. Zach took the last pair of balls to the left corners after his quick and positive positioning strategy, earning him a win for the 6-1 series win. Zach finishes the bracket with a 20-7 record as he heads to the Finals.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Blizzard v. Hughbert. This 9-ball series with the red cue is the only series in the round between players who entered with multiple bids remaining. Southridge's Hughbert felt he had a good claim for game 1, pushing the offense with a five-ball run, but he crashed down with a miss on the 9, and Everton's Blizzard found enough form to pot it for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 went pretty fast, as the Eagles' Blizzard made a seven-ball run on her second turn, an impressive stretch of shooting featuring a combination, a kick and a deflected shot to show off her versatility. She missed on the 7 though, and the Defenders' Hughbert cleaned up the last two shots for the win to tie the series at 1. Game 3 was a mess on both sides, with neither player able to assert themselves. Blizzard probably had a worse performance, as it was Hughbert who seemed to have most of the possession, but he scratched while making the 9, gifting the win and a 2-1 series lead to Blizzard in the process. Hughbert's frustrations finally got the best of him in game 4, as he snapped near the end with a frustrating leave on the 6. Blizzard took over in the end, slightly calmer, to grab the win with a tap-in on the 9 and a 3-1 series lead in her favor. Hughbert had a clear chance to get the win in game 5, after a fairly even battle with Blizzard, but he missed a straight shot on the 9 just wide right, giving Blizzard a tap-in for the win and the series, which she secured at 4-1. Hughbert had another decent effort in game 6, making his fair share of shots until the game came to the 9. He had a chance for it, missing on a bank to end his short run, and Blizzard capitalized on the opportunity again, cutting it lightly to the bottom side for the win to move ahead 5-1 in the series. Blizzard brought a quick and merciful end to game 7, working a four-ball run-out from the break that ended on a 3-9 combination to the bottom right for the win. Blizzard sealed the series at 6-1, and went 19-8 on the bracket to get to the finals. Hughbert's back-to-back losses make him the 111th player eliminated this year, and Blizzard's
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit v. Goatee. The final series today is also with the red cue, as 12-ball is set to be played. Lighton's Spirit ceded some possession early in game 1, as Westside's Goatee jumped out to the early lead, but Spirit pulled back on a nice three-ball run, and soon she made her last two shots to get the win and a 1-0 series lead with a confident appearance held throughout. The Rockers' Goatee had a nice four-ball run in game 2, helping her stay in the series and turn the tide against the Prestige's Spirit, who went from two balls in the top side to none after a scratch and the realization of her foul. Goatee soon won, putting the 13 in that top side from ball-in-hand after Spirit missed contact. Goatee's win tied the series at 1. Spirit seemed to have the edge again after a tight start in game 3, making a three-ball run late before illegally potting the 1 to the bottom right. Goatee took over from here, making her last two balls from ball-in-hand for the win, using her defense successfully to get the win and a 2-1 series lead. Goatee made a brilliant attack in game 4, starting right away with a four-ball run, which Spirit answered with a quick pair of her own. The game slowed down a bit from here, but Spirit soon had another pair of balls potted, and she got decent positioning around Goatee for her last two shots, which she made on separate turns before Goatee could convert. Spirit's comeback tied the series at 2. Goatee started in game 5 with a three-ball run along the top rail, quickly establishing herself, but Spirit shot back with a crafty five-ball run that was nearly a clean sweep of shots had she made the 14. This 14 pestered Spirit for awhile, and she had to battle with Goatee's defense, but Goatee lost position out of desperation, and Spirit won the game on a cut for a 3-2 series lead. Game 6 went Goatee's way, helped greatly by a hot start, as she made a pair of balls early and followed it up with a three-ball run. Spirit tried to catch up, and managed to get onto her final ball, but without positioning after a near-miss kick, Spirit had to settle for being disruptive. She stalled Goatee, but only briefly, as Goatee cut the 3 to the top left for the win to tie the series again at 3. Spirit and Goatee had an incredibly close start in game 7, with Goatee pulling out to a bit of a lead initially, but Spirit countering perfectly. Goatee then made two more balls, getting onto her last shot, and Spirit's defensive instinct clicked on, as she pushed Goatee's shot away. When Spirit got ball-in-hand on the next turn, she tried to ignite her final rally, but it didn't go, and Goatee cut in her last ball for the win and a 4-3 series win. Goatee advances to the Finals with an 18-9 record from the bracket. Goatee also earned her third kill of the year, making Spirit the 112th player to be eliminated.
That's all for the Tournament today. We'll have one more full day tomorrow, and then a partial day sometime over the weekend, likely Sunday, before heading into the Finals. Cricket is expected to go as planned tonight with 8-10 games, and then the remainder tomorrow night most likely.
No comments:
Post a Comment