Just 20 games for today before the third round comes to a close. We begin in...
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Princess v. Shelley. The final Survival series of the round comes from the southwest. Tysini's Princess fell with a scratch at the end of the second rack in game 1, giving Infinity City's Shelley the 1-0 series lead to start. The Torpedoes' Shelley went up 2-0 with a game 2 win, employing a strategic scratch late in the second rack that caused Princess of the Hummingbirds to take and miss a shot from distance on her last life, ceding another game. Shelley clinched the series at 3-0 in game 3, fading late until a carom off the 7 from a missed shot resulted in the 6 going in the top right and the cue bumping the 9 in the bottom right to set her back on track, so she could outlast Princess one more time for the win. Princess, playing lethargically after already taking the series loss, faded rapidly in game 4, blowing out in just one rack to give Shelley a 4-0 series lead. Shelley swept the series after a late miss by Princess in game 5, taking all the games in a 5-0 victory. Ranked #78, Shelley will host Taylor Swift of the Eastside Sharks at Nissan Hall in Infinity City in the fourth round.
UPS Hall, Maplewood: Diddley v. Valencia. Heading northeast, we have 7-ball. Golden's Valencia made a late three-ball run in game 1, but it wouldn't be enough when she left the 7 extremely short, allowing Maplewood's Diddley to tap it in the bottom right for a 1-0 lead. The Lumberjacks' Diddley dominated in game 2, ending on a four-ball run-out and looking like the more confident player as he took a 2-0 lead. Diddley clinched the series at 3-0 with a carom off the 4 to lightly brush the 7 into the top left, leaving the Pilots' Valencia at a loss in the series after she couldn't control possession. Valencia avoided the sweep, winning game 4 on a three-ball run-out that displayed the skills she has hidden for much of the season. Beginning the run, Valencia banked the 5 to the top side with a narrow angle. She then cut the 6 to the bottom right and made a cut with spin on the 7 to the top left, avoiding a scratch with good pace to make it 3-1 in the series. Valencia made it quick in game 5, sinking the 7 on the break to the bottom side, giving Diddley only a 3-2 series win. Ranked #89 in 7-ball, Diddley will return to Infinity City as a Lumberjack after the Torpedoes cut him last season, playing against former Lumberjack Gabe, now with the Torpedoes, at Nissan Hall in the fourth round. Valencia is the forty-fourth player to be eliminated, losing four bids in the third round, but her future is secure with the Golden Pilots due to being top-32 in cricket, and a still respectable pool record behind that. Diddley picked up his first kill of the season.
Starbucks Arena, Archtown: Ruby v. Strawberry. The second-to-last series is a set of 12-ball. Archtown's Ruby took a 1-0 series lead with a game 1 win, displaying high accuracy from the break onward. The balls laid themselves out well for the Arrows' Ruby, and while Pronger's Strawberry also did a good job setting up, Ruby was quicker to execute her shots. The Tridents' Strawberry did a good job of getting set up at the end of game 2, also working to mess up Ruby's shots defensively, which bought her enough time as Ruby did damage control to take care of business and tie the series at 1. Ruby retook the lead at 2-1 in game 3, which started out well on both sides but turned defensive as each had two balls left. Strawberry did herself no favors, with one of her balls near a pocket she already occupied. Ruby took advantage of this, muscling her own ball into that space, since she needed the pocket, while also navigating the defense across the table, eventually gaining the upper hand that led to Strawberry potting one of Ruby's balls before Ruby tapped in the other for the win. Strawberry's illegally potted 3 in game 4 turned out to be the nail in her coffin for the series. Ruby took advantage of the ball-in-hand to take out one ball and work on positioning for her last one, getting it a few shots later when a near-perfect bank left the 10 short at the bottom right, and Strawberry failed to make both of her remaining shots, giving Ruby the series at 3-1. Ruby got a huge break in game 5, as Strawberry illegally contacted the 6 and then caromed to pot the 7 when she was shooting stripes, giving Ruby a wild card ball and two shots lined up after ball-in-hand to win the game and take the series at 4-1. Ranked #80 in 12-ball, Ruby will travel to Pacific to face the Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty at the Verizon Field Events Center in the fourth round. Strawberry became the forty-fifth player eliminated in the tournament, and the last in the third round, as all that preparation time couldn't let her keep pace with stronger opponents. Strawberry will not be cut by the Pronger Tridents, with protection from cricket performance, so she will remain with the only team she's known, and the only team yet to cut a player. Ruby picked up her second kill of the season.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: Debby Ryan v. Dani. The round ends as it started, with 8-ball and the blue cue to determine who will play the round's opening series winner. Southridge's Debby overcame a slow start in game 1 to rally back with excellent shot selection, allowing her to catch and pull away from Capital City's Dani to take a 1-0 lead with the patient strategy. The Defenders' Debby went up 2-0 after the Sharpshooters' Dani failed to sink the 8, giving Debby a chance she couldn't pass up for a four-ball run-out to take a win. Dani answered an early four-ball run by Debby with a five-ball run late, but she needed six balls and the 8 just wouldn't go on the bank, allowing Debby to tap in her last ball in the top left and the 8 in the bottom side to take game 3, and clinch the series at 3-0 as well. Debby had a four-ball run-out in game 4, with the positioning taking center stage, especially as Debby bumped a couple of solids away to clear a straight in shot at short distance on the 8 to make it 4-0 in the series. Dani did avoid the sweep in game 5, rallying after a five-ball run from Debby with a five-ball run of her own that ended in a scratch, and then another short run to make it even. At the end, Dani made a strong bank from the left rail to the top right on the 12, which was frozen on the rail, which also set her up to make the 8. Debby won the series 4-1, and her #64 ranked 8-ball campaign will continue to the fourth round, where she will travel to visit Dani's Sharpshooters teammate, Missy, at the Capital City SuperCenter.
That's all for round three. Up next is some equipment maintenance, scheduling, standings updates, and preparations for the next year. As of the end of the round, 84 players remain in the hunt for a medal of some kind, but only as many as 32 can be rewarded. We'll be back with whatever the schedule spits out for fourth round action tomorrow.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Pool: Round Three Day 9
We're winding down the third round, beginning the last full day in...
Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Patches v. Cassandra. The first series of the day is 9-ball in the southeast. Diamond's Cassandra struck first with a three-ball run-out in game 1, getting an early jump on Boston's Patches in the very even game. The Gems' Cassandra had slightly more control in game 2, getting a lucky bounce off the 9 after two rails to sink the 8, and then taking the 9 on the next turn after the Swifts' Patches missed contact on it. Cassandra went up 2-0 in the series. Cassandra clinched the series when she found stability with her grip in game 3, going on a five-ball run-out highlight by a carom off the 8 that took the 9 in the top left. Patches got on the board in game 4, taking the 9 off a carom from the cue after striking the 3 from ball-in-hand after Cassandra's scratch, making it 3-1 in the series. Patches had a three-ball run-out in game 5, a slightly messy game with a few scratches, doing what she could to minimize the damage. Cassandra won the series 3-2, and she will use her #17 ranked 9-ball bid to host Precious of the Pronger Tridents at the Intel Center in Diamond in the fourth round.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Pounce v. Shadow. Two of the league's most prominent gentlemen go at it in 12-ball from the southwest. Lighton's Pounce did a masterful job of running four balls early and getting position late to take a 1-0 lead over Web City's Shadow, who gave up his wild card ball and lacked positioning in game 1. The Spiders' Shadow gambled he could run out in game 2, but his shot on the 2 was errant, allowing the Prestige's Pounce to make the 12, now free from defense, for a 2-0 lead. Pounce's set-up shots and positioning were excellent in game 3, and the accuracy did the rest with a little help from defense, as Shadow's poor shooting spots led to Pounce overcoming a three-ball run Shadow pieced together earlier. Pounce did get luck when his cluster buster sank the 12 in the top right and allowed him to set the 10 at the bottom left, eventually leading to him taking the series at 3-0. Pounce had a five-ball run off the break in game 4, which ended in a scratch that left him with two on the table. Shadow attempted to get set up on a lot of his shots, but two turns later, Pounce received ball-in-hand from Shadow's illegal contact, and took care of the last two with precision accuracy in shots surrounded by defense. Pounce moved to 4-0 with the virtuoso win. Shadow got on the board with a gutsy win a very even game 5, just slightly outmaneuvering the scratch-prone Pounce. Pounce took the series 4-1, and takes his #66 ranked 12-ball campaign to Viewpoint Sound, where he will be hosted by Mr. Snowman of the Meteors at the Volkswagen Stadium Events Center in the fourth round.
Ebay Center, Queens: Kayla v. Princess. Things get fun with top players battling in Rotation in the southeast. Tysini's Princess paid for a lazy shot on the 11 in game 1 while up 7-3, watching Kayla of Queens take the next five balls (three in a run and some defense before the final two) to win the game 8-7 and take a 1-0 lead. Game 2 kept things close as well, as the Hummingbirds' Princess emerged with a large lead that evaporated, and it turned into a back-and-forth game late as the Flames' Kayla used her grinding style to stay close. A scratch by Kayla tanked the game for her, as Princess finished off with the last two shots in an 8-6 win, tying the series at 1. Princess won game 3 by an 8-5 score, even with Kayla leading late. Princess used a three-ball run-out, which saw the 11 rattle out of the bottom right with such speed and spin that it returned at a more acceptable pace, while setting up the 12 for the winner in brilliant fashion. Princess went up 2-1 in the series with this win, and appears to be utterly unstoppable. Not wanting to be written off as an MVP contender, Kayla took charge of game 4, getting an edge on Princess and then running three balls to make it a large lead with defense, Princess lacked a response, so Kayla took the game 8-2 and tied the series at 2, sending it to the biggest final game of a series thus far. Game 5 appeared to be going Princess' direction, but Kayla stormed back and held her off for an 8-5 win. The Ebay Center hung in silence with Kayla's shot on the 12, which rattled away from the intended pocket but took two rails and found the bottom side for the win, which gave her a 3-2 series win. Ranked #3 in Rotation, Kayla keeps her hopes alive for MVP by beating the leading candidate, a feat that hadn't happened since the first round as Princess won ten straight series. Kayla is in the fourth round again with that impressive effort.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Chris v. Bear. The cricket MVP visits one of his biggest challengers for a series of 8-ball. Capital City's Chris did a lot of work to put the 8 in position, with a four-ball run early and three-ball run late, but Whitewater's Bear gave him the win by sinking the 8 early, wasting a five-ball run of his own as the Sharpshooters' Chris took a 1-0 lead. The Shores' Bear tied it at 1 in game 2, using a seven-ball run-out to stun Chris, who had been taking his time setting up around a thick defensive effort from Bear. Chris saw a game 3 comeback run of five balls end in a scratch, but Bear couldn't build anything from the kitchen, and Chris made two shots to take the game for a 2-1 series lead. Chris started cold in game 4, but heated up late in the game, running three balls twice (the second starting with a 7-2-3 combination to the top right that positioned him on the 7 afterward), and then capitalizing on Bear missing the 8 with a straight-in shot to the top left to clinch the series at 3-1. Chris also took the fast-paced game 5, with both players sinking shots with ease, but Chris just had the slightest edge in positioning and accuracy. Ranked #103, Chris gets to continue an improbable run in 8-ball, traveling to Bear's home stadium to face his teammate, Twinkie III, at Whitewater's Samsung Arena in the fourth round. Bear did get eliminated with the loss, the fortieth player to fall this season, but he will return to captain the Whitewater Shores again next year, as he was the cricket MVP. Chris picked up his first kill of the tournament.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Dusty v. Shiny. Next up, there's 10-ball in the rural southeast. Victoria's Shiny ended up with the win in game 1, making the final two balls after Dusty's four-ball run ended at the 9, with the Spurs' Shiny taking a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, the Pilots' Dusty scratched on her first potting of the 10 on a 6-10 combination, but when Shiny failed to extend a three-ball run, Dusty redeemed herself, tying the series with the last two balls. Dusty did most of the work in game 3, with runs of four and three early on, but she couldn't corral the 10 at the end, with Shiny spinning it in for a 2-1 series lead. Shiny clinched the series at 3-1 as she took over possession from Dusty after making an uncalled shot. Shiny ran out the last three balls to take the game, wiping out Dusty's three-ball run just before that. Shiny had an easy go of it in game 5, dominating possession and making shots when convenient to take the game and a 4-1 series lead. Ranked #80 in 10-ball, Shiny will travel next to Commerce, opposing the Tradewinds' Tigerette in the Nike Field Events Center in the fourth round.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Amber v. Twinkie III. Heading north, there's Rotation at the site of the team most likely to get the #2 overall pick behind the Terrace City Knights. Whitewater's Twinkie III broke out for an 8-2 win in game 1, stunning Atlantic's Amber with a six-ball run-out and a series of remarkable bounces. On the highlight reel, Twinkie III got the 4 to carom into the 11, taking the 15 to the top left, before double-potting the 4 and 9 in the bottom left with a follow shot en route to a 1-0 series lead. The Shores' Twinkie III took game 2 by an 8-3 score, starting out dominant and only surrendering a three-ball run to the Pirates' Amber. Amber got on the board with a game 3 win, flipping the script in a more defensive game by getting balls where she could early before piecing together a three-ball run-out to win 8-4 and push the series to 2-1. Amber hit the highlight reel during a four-ball run in game 4, using a cluster buster that ended up double-potting the 11 in the bottom left and 9 in the bottom right with initial contact on the 7. The defense at the end of that run led to Twinkie III missing contact on the 10, giving ball-in-hand to win the game 8-3 and tie the series at 2. Twinkie III scorched Amber hard in game 5, shutting her out 8-0 in a brilliant display of accuracy, positioning, and defense. The highlight came with a carom off the 6 to convert a close range 12-14-8 combination that made it 7-0. Twinkie III, ranked #120 in Rotation, advanced to the fourth round on a 3-2 series win. She will face the Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty in Pacific at the Verizon Field Events Center. With the loss, Amber's sophomore season came to an end as the forty-first player eliminated. Her departure also means that the Atlantic Pirates are totally out of the tournament in the third round, winning just 9 of 41 series between the four of them. Amber is likely to stay on for stability, as the best player in both cricket and pool, while the rest of the team will move on. Delila, eliminated by Princess in the first round, is expected to enter the draft, Steven will leave the UPCL, earning a compensatory pick, and Brownie's future is uncertain one way or another. Twinkie III earned her first kill with the win.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit v. Ms. Puppy. We continue to the southwest for 15-ball. Modernistic's Ms. Puppy struck almost immediately, winning game 1 by putting a little follow and right spin on the cue, double-potting the 2 to the bottom left and the 15 to the top left for a 1-0 lead. Lighton's Spirit tied the series at 1 after Ms. Puppy of the Union missed the 15 and it landed in a favorable position for Spirit of the Prestige to sink it and take game 2. Spirit took a somewhat sloppy game 3 with a clean, four-ball run-out as her finish, taking a 2-1 series lead at the same time with the display of accuracy. Spirit clinched the series at 3-1 on a three-ball run-out, answering Ms. Puppy's five-ball run from earlier in the game. The highlight of the run was actually a botched bank shot on the 15, which went off two rails instead of one, ending up in the top left after a slow roll to the pocket that brought the crowd to its feet. Ms. Puppy grabbed game 5 on a sharp-angled 5-15 combination to the bottom side, making it a 3-2 series win for Spirit. Ranked #38 in 15-ball, Spirit will host another Union player, Kiwi, in the fourth round at this venue.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Chimpy v. Cubby. We end the afternoon with Survival from the north, with the Union players rapidly wrapping up their round. Maplewood's Cubby took game 1 in the third rack, after Modernistic's Chimpy tried to play too smart and ended up rattling his bank of the 6 out of the top side, giving the Lumberjacks' Cubby the 1-0 series lead. The Union's Chimpy tied the series at 1 in game 2, using a well-played lure shot to get Cubby to miss before Chimpy struck for the extra life and sat on it to drive Cubby down at the end of the only rack. Cubby retook the series lead at 2-1 in game 3, successfully eluding another lure from Chimpy at the end of the first rack, and using that extra life as the thing to push Chimpy around for a couple shots in the second rack until he scratched to end the game. Cubby again pushed Chimpy around in the second rack, doing so a little longer in game 4 as Chimpy had a little farther to fall before finally losing both the game and series. Cubby clinched the series at 3-1 with the game 4 win. Chimpy's scratching habit cost him again, ending game 5 in a single rack near the very end, as Cubby took the series 4-1. Ranked #118, Cubby will travel again in the fourth round, heading to Cisco Arena in Tysini to face the Hummingbirds' Bright in another series where Cubby will be a heavy underdog. Chimpy's brutal loss spelled the end of the tournament for him, which is strange for the player who usually runs deep in one event. Chimpy is the forty-second player to be eliminated, and has probably worn out his welcome with the Union, a team expected to rebuild a bit with the departing captain Kiwi and now shedding their enigma, Chimpy. Cubby, with his back against the wall, got his first kill of the season while staving off elimination himself.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Chicky Phil v. Ms. Puppy. Down in the suburbs, there's 12-ball on tap to open the night games. Westside's Chicky Phil got bit by a lack of patience in game 1, breaking up a decent set-up because he was shooting at the wrong angle, only for Modernistic's Ms. Puppy to miss her next shot and leave the cue in position for the last shot. The Rockers' Chicky Phil got buried and had to try a strategic scratch, which backfired when the Union's Ms. Puppy converted the 12 from the kitchen to the bottom side to go up 1-0 in the series. Both players struggled to set up shop in game 2, with Ms. Puppy's constant scratching giving her extra targets while also leaving Chicky Phil in unfavorable positions. Eventually, Ms. Puppy emerged by potting the 2 in the top side to set up for the 3 on a bank from the left rail to the top right, winning the game for a 2-0 lead. Chicky Phil nearly blew it in game 3, taking a long time to sink the 15 in the top left after scratching on it the first time, allowing Ms. Puppy back in the game as she worked around the table efficiently, even getting set up on her last ball before Chicky Phil ended it to push the series to 2-1. Ms. Puppy got all the bounces early on, but the last ball was pesky again in game 4, refusing to get lined up to the bottom left. In the time she spent chasing, Chicky Phil took five balls in two turns and did enough to get positioned at the end to take the game and tie the series at 2. In game 5, the game became a race for the sides, with Chicky Phil needing either or after Ms. Puppy surrendered a wild card ball, while Ms. Puppy needed the bottom side. Both players took two shots to get set, but Ms. Puppy's set-up was a little too friendly for Chicky Phil, who potted his last ball to win the series 3-2. Ranked #109 in 12-ball, Chicky Phil will travel to Chevrolet Center in Everton to face Cleo of the Eagles in the fourth round. With the loss, Ms. Puppy became the forty-third player eliminated from the tournament. Of all the change occurring at the Union, one of Ms. Puppy or Puff I will stick around, although its expected Puff I has the edge in that regard. Chicky Phil collected his first kill with the win.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Nightfur v. Leonette. Now begins a doubleheader of Rotation, starting in the southeast. Game 1 was a huge rollercoaster in the series, with Pacific's Leonette barging out to a big lead, Royal's Nightfur pulling ahead, and then the two players alternating leads until the Volcanoes' Leonette missed contact on a kick attempt, allowing Nightfur of the Crowns a second chance to pot the 15, taking the game 8-7 for a 1-0 lead in the series. Leonette didn't build as large of a lead in game 2, and likewise, Nightfur didn't have to rally as hard, but she did anyway with a five-ball run-out to take a 2-0 lead in the series on an 8-5 win. Leonette walked a dangerous path in game 3, surrendering a lead early on, but she bounced back with a three-ball run-out to win 8-7 and take the series to 2-1. Nightfur answered in game 4 with an 8-4 win, countering Leonette's comeback very efficiently with a three-ball run-out to secure the series at 3-1. Leonette salvaged game 5, coming out hot from the start and cruising to an 8-4 win to make it a 3-2 series for Nightfur. Ranked #10 in Rotation, Nightfur will make a short trip to Queens in the fourth round, as Kayla of the Flames hosts her at the Ebay Center.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Allison v. Chelsea. In the southwest, the other half of the Rotation doubleheader is scheduled. Eastside's Chelsea appeared to dominate in game 1, taking a 1-0 series lead with an 8-0 shutout victory, but it's not that clear cut. On the third ball Chelsea sank, there was significant doubt she got legal contact on the 2 for the carom, but the referee did not argue the point and she played on. Tysini's Allison took game 2, and that too was riddled with controversy. The referee made a make-up call, allowing the Hummingbirds' Allison to play on after her first potted ball looked to be from illegal contact as well. The Sharks' Chelsea did not roll over though, rallying back and making it a back-and-forth, tightly played game, but Allison had the edge at 8-7, tying the series at 1. The crowd hopes for a cleanly called final three games. The fans did not get their wish in game 3, as Chelsea took advantage of an illegal contact foul that pulled a ball back for Allison, which proved costly when she then lost the game 8-7, giving Chelsea a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 lacked controversy, a refreshing change for this series, and Allison cleanly played her way to an 8-4 that was never really that close, with Chelsea never getting established possession like Allison had. The series, with all its flaws, stood tied at 2. Allison got her make-up call in game 5, allowing her to go on a five-ball run, but those five were all she got as Chelsea started and finished strong in an 8-5 win, taking the series 3-2. Ranked #98 in Rotation, Chelsea controversially advances to the fourth round, where she will play at the Lay's Field Events Center in Victoria against the Spurs' Spice.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Puff III v. Dusky. Next up, a doubleheader late at night in Everton, beginning with 12-ball. Archtown's Dusky struck first in game 1, with a little help from a wild card ball, as she executed her shots a little better than the disorganized Puff III of Everton, taking a 1-0 lead in the process in an unremarkable game. The Eagles' Puff III shot back with a three-ball run and strong set-up shots in game 2, tying the series as the Arrows' Dusky sputtered with setting up her shots too slowly. Dusky used remarkable defensive positioning after a three-ball run to frustrate Puff III in game 3, and after missed contact, Dusky iced the game to take a 2-1 series lead with clean and simple shooting. Dusky secured the series at 3-1, winning a hard fought game 4 from Puff III after an iffy break. Dusky got a lot of her balls down early, but also surrendered a wild card ball to Puff III. Near the end, Puff III had no choice but to lose the wild card ball with a strategic scratch, with served its purpose. However, on the next turn, Puff III lost her defensive ball, and failed to kick in the last ball, allowing Dusky to take a cut at her last ball, which she made for the win. Puff III dominated in game 5, shooting very accurately to take a win. Dusky, ranked #118 in 12-ball, won the series 3-2. Dusky will travel to Tysini in the fourth round, opposing the Hummingbirds' Princess at Cisco Arena.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Goldy v. Gizmo. The other half of the locational doubleheader sees 9-ball played with the silver cue subbing in for the red cue. Everton's Goldy took a somewhat shaky game 1, as neither player seemed to have much control in their shooting, and it was good for a 1-0 lead in the series. The Eagles' Goldy looked more confident in game 2, taking a 2-0 lead with a three-ball run-out that put Central's Gizmo on his back foot in the series. In game 3, the Warriors' Gizmo missed his only chance at the 9 near the top side, and he left it short enough for Goldy to tap in to clinch the series at 3-0. Gizmo made it 3-1 in game 4, but it wasn't because of anything he did. Goldy had firm control late in the game, but her 8-9 combination saw both the 9 and the cue taking up space in the top left, surrendering a game to Gizmo with the fatal foul. Goldy took the series 4-1, running out the final four balls in game 5 to grab an extra win. Ranked #42 in 9-ball, Goldy will next host Mams of the Viewpoint Sound Meteors at this venue, although the venue decision came on a tiebreaker in qualifiers as both are technically tied for #42.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Strawberry v. Leonette. Out east, the home of the Tridents finally sees third round games, as Pronger's Strawberry makes her round debut in the fifth-to-last series, a set of 10-ball with the silver cue in for the blue cue. The Tridents' Strawberry took a 1-0 lead with a game 1 win, taking a 5-10 combination through traffic to the top left in a very clutch shot. Pacific's Leonette tied it in game 2, winning a sloppy game on her second go at the 10 in the top left, making it 1-1 in the series. The Volcanoes' Leonette took a 2-1 series lead with another iffy win in game 3, taking advantage of Strawberry again leaving the 10 short, this time at the top right for another easy tap-in after keeping possession even early in the game. Leonette took the series at 3-1 with a five-ball run-out in game 4, showing accuracy that had been hidden in earlier games, but it showed up when she needed it the most. Leonette iced the series at 4-1, capitalizing on a missed shot on the 9 by Strawberry to take the last two balls in game 5 for the win. Ranked #67 in 10-ball, Leonette will head home in the fourth round to host Crystal of the Queens Flames at the Verizon Field Events Center in Pacific.
Tomorrow, there's only 20 games on the slate as the third round will come to an end. Expect updated standings and a new schedule by posting time tomorrow night. Additionally, I will be working more on next season's logistical information as much as I can ahead of the new season. Friday will be the start of the fourth round, which is a big deal for two reasons: series are now seven games in the fourth and fifth (Quarterfinals) rounds, and the silver cue will only make appearances in the fourth round, as the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals are too significant to have appearances by a non-official entity at this point. Until next time everyone!
Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center, Boston: Patches v. Cassandra. The first series of the day is 9-ball in the southeast. Diamond's Cassandra struck first with a three-ball run-out in game 1, getting an early jump on Boston's Patches in the very even game. The Gems' Cassandra had slightly more control in game 2, getting a lucky bounce off the 9 after two rails to sink the 8, and then taking the 9 on the next turn after the Swifts' Patches missed contact on it. Cassandra went up 2-0 in the series. Cassandra clinched the series when she found stability with her grip in game 3, going on a five-ball run-out highlight by a carom off the 8 that took the 9 in the top left. Patches got on the board in game 4, taking the 9 off a carom from the cue after striking the 3 from ball-in-hand after Cassandra's scratch, making it 3-1 in the series. Patches had a three-ball run-out in game 5, a slightly messy game with a few scratches, doing what she could to minimize the damage. Cassandra won the series 3-2, and she will use her #17 ranked 9-ball bid to host Precious of the Pronger Tridents at the Intel Center in Diamond in the fourth round.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Pounce v. Shadow. Two of the league's most prominent gentlemen go at it in 12-ball from the southwest. Lighton's Pounce did a masterful job of running four balls early and getting position late to take a 1-0 lead over Web City's Shadow, who gave up his wild card ball and lacked positioning in game 1. The Spiders' Shadow gambled he could run out in game 2, but his shot on the 2 was errant, allowing the Prestige's Pounce to make the 12, now free from defense, for a 2-0 lead. Pounce's set-up shots and positioning were excellent in game 3, and the accuracy did the rest with a little help from defense, as Shadow's poor shooting spots led to Pounce overcoming a three-ball run Shadow pieced together earlier. Pounce did get luck when his cluster buster sank the 12 in the top right and allowed him to set the 10 at the bottom left, eventually leading to him taking the series at 3-0. Pounce had a five-ball run off the break in game 4, which ended in a scratch that left him with two on the table. Shadow attempted to get set up on a lot of his shots, but two turns later, Pounce received ball-in-hand from Shadow's illegal contact, and took care of the last two with precision accuracy in shots surrounded by defense. Pounce moved to 4-0 with the virtuoso win. Shadow got on the board with a gutsy win a very even game 5, just slightly outmaneuvering the scratch-prone Pounce. Pounce took the series 4-1, and takes his #66 ranked 12-ball campaign to Viewpoint Sound, where he will be hosted by Mr. Snowman of the Meteors at the Volkswagen Stadium Events Center in the fourth round.
Ebay Center, Queens: Kayla v. Princess. Things get fun with top players battling in Rotation in the southeast. Tysini's Princess paid for a lazy shot on the 11 in game 1 while up 7-3, watching Kayla of Queens take the next five balls (three in a run and some defense before the final two) to win the game 8-7 and take a 1-0 lead. Game 2 kept things close as well, as the Hummingbirds' Princess emerged with a large lead that evaporated, and it turned into a back-and-forth game late as the Flames' Kayla used her grinding style to stay close. A scratch by Kayla tanked the game for her, as Princess finished off with the last two shots in an 8-6 win, tying the series at 1. Princess won game 3 by an 8-5 score, even with Kayla leading late. Princess used a three-ball run-out, which saw the 11 rattle out of the bottom right with such speed and spin that it returned at a more acceptable pace, while setting up the 12 for the winner in brilliant fashion. Princess went up 2-1 in the series with this win, and appears to be utterly unstoppable. Not wanting to be written off as an MVP contender, Kayla took charge of game 4, getting an edge on Princess and then running three balls to make it a large lead with defense, Princess lacked a response, so Kayla took the game 8-2 and tied the series at 2, sending it to the biggest final game of a series thus far. Game 5 appeared to be going Princess' direction, but Kayla stormed back and held her off for an 8-5 win. The Ebay Center hung in silence with Kayla's shot on the 12, which rattled away from the intended pocket but took two rails and found the bottom side for the win, which gave her a 3-2 series win. Ranked #3 in Rotation, Kayla keeps her hopes alive for MVP by beating the leading candidate, a feat that hadn't happened since the first round as Princess won ten straight series. Kayla is in the fourth round again with that impressive effort.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Chris v. Bear. The cricket MVP visits one of his biggest challengers for a series of 8-ball. Capital City's Chris did a lot of work to put the 8 in position, with a four-ball run early and three-ball run late, but Whitewater's Bear gave him the win by sinking the 8 early, wasting a five-ball run of his own as the Sharpshooters' Chris took a 1-0 lead. The Shores' Bear tied it at 1 in game 2, using a seven-ball run-out to stun Chris, who had been taking his time setting up around a thick defensive effort from Bear. Chris saw a game 3 comeback run of five balls end in a scratch, but Bear couldn't build anything from the kitchen, and Chris made two shots to take the game for a 2-1 series lead. Chris started cold in game 4, but heated up late in the game, running three balls twice (the second starting with a 7-2-3 combination to the top right that positioned him on the 7 afterward), and then capitalizing on Bear missing the 8 with a straight-in shot to the top left to clinch the series at 3-1. Chris also took the fast-paced game 5, with both players sinking shots with ease, but Chris just had the slightest edge in positioning and accuracy. Ranked #103, Chris gets to continue an improbable run in 8-ball, traveling to Bear's home stadium to face his teammate, Twinkie III, at Whitewater's Samsung Arena in the fourth round. Bear did get eliminated with the loss, the fortieth player to fall this season, but he will return to captain the Whitewater Shores again next year, as he was the cricket MVP. Chris picked up his first kill of the tournament.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Dusty v. Shiny. Next up, there's 10-ball in the rural southeast. Victoria's Shiny ended up with the win in game 1, making the final two balls after Dusty's four-ball run ended at the 9, with the Spurs' Shiny taking a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, the Pilots' Dusty scratched on her first potting of the 10 on a 6-10 combination, but when Shiny failed to extend a three-ball run, Dusty redeemed herself, tying the series with the last two balls. Dusty did most of the work in game 3, with runs of four and three early on, but she couldn't corral the 10 at the end, with Shiny spinning it in for a 2-1 series lead. Shiny clinched the series at 3-1 as she took over possession from Dusty after making an uncalled shot. Shiny ran out the last three balls to take the game, wiping out Dusty's three-ball run just before that. Shiny had an easy go of it in game 5, dominating possession and making shots when convenient to take the game and a 4-1 series lead. Ranked #80 in 10-ball, Shiny will travel next to Commerce, opposing the Tradewinds' Tigerette in the Nike Field Events Center in the fourth round.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Amber v. Twinkie III. Heading north, there's Rotation at the site of the team most likely to get the #2 overall pick behind the Terrace City Knights. Whitewater's Twinkie III broke out for an 8-2 win in game 1, stunning Atlantic's Amber with a six-ball run-out and a series of remarkable bounces. On the highlight reel, Twinkie III got the 4 to carom into the 11, taking the 15 to the top left, before double-potting the 4 and 9 in the bottom left with a follow shot en route to a 1-0 series lead. The Shores' Twinkie III took game 2 by an 8-3 score, starting out dominant and only surrendering a three-ball run to the Pirates' Amber. Amber got on the board with a game 3 win, flipping the script in a more defensive game by getting balls where she could early before piecing together a three-ball run-out to win 8-4 and push the series to 2-1. Amber hit the highlight reel during a four-ball run in game 4, using a cluster buster that ended up double-potting the 11 in the bottom left and 9 in the bottom right with initial contact on the 7. The defense at the end of that run led to Twinkie III missing contact on the 10, giving ball-in-hand to win the game 8-3 and tie the series at 2. Twinkie III scorched Amber hard in game 5, shutting her out 8-0 in a brilliant display of accuracy, positioning, and defense. The highlight came with a carom off the 6 to convert a close range 12-14-8 combination that made it 7-0. Twinkie III, ranked #120 in Rotation, advanced to the fourth round on a 3-2 series win. She will face the Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty in Pacific at the Verizon Field Events Center. With the loss, Amber's sophomore season came to an end as the forty-first player eliminated. Her departure also means that the Atlantic Pirates are totally out of the tournament in the third round, winning just 9 of 41 series between the four of them. Amber is likely to stay on for stability, as the best player in both cricket and pool, while the rest of the team will move on. Delila, eliminated by Princess in the first round, is expected to enter the draft, Steven will leave the UPCL, earning a compensatory pick, and Brownie's future is uncertain one way or another. Twinkie III earned her first kill with the win.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Spirit v. Ms. Puppy. We continue to the southwest for 15-ball. Modernistic's Ms. Puppy struck almost immediately, winning game 1 by putting a little follow and right spin on the cue, double-potting the 2 to the bottom left and the 15 to the top left for a 1-0 lead. Lighton's Spirit tied the series at 1 after Ms. Puppy of the Union missed the 15 and it landed in a favorable position for Spirit of the Prestige to sink it and take game 2. Spirit took a somewhat sloppy game 3 with a clean, four-ball run-out as her finish, taking a 2-1 series lead at the same time with the display of accuracy. Spirit clinched the series at 3-1 on a three-ball run-out, answering Ms. Puppy's five-ball run from earlier in the game. The highlight of the run was actually a botched bank shot on the 15, which went off two rails instead of one, ending up in the top left after a slow roll to the pocket that brought the crowd to its feet. Ms. Puppy grabbed game 5 on a sharp-angled 5-15 combination to the bottom side, making it a 3-2 series win for Spirit. Ranked #38 in 15-ball, Spirit will host another Union player, Kiwi, in the fourth round at this venue.
Google Hall, Modernistic: Chimpy v. Cubby. We end the afternoon with Survival from the north, with the Union players rapidly wrapping up their round. Maplewood's Cubby took game 1 in the third rack, after Modernistic's Chimpy tried to play too smart and ended up rattling his bank of the 6 out of the top side, giving the Lumberjacks' Cubby the 1-0 series lead. The Union's Chimpy tied the series at 1 in game 2, using a well-played lure shot to get Cubby to miss before Chimpy struck for the extra life and sat on it to drive Cubby down at the end of the only rack. Cubby retook the series lead at 2-1 in game 3, successfully eluding another lure from Chimpy at the end of the first rack, and using that extra life as the thing to push Chimpy around for a couple shots in the second rack until he scratched to end the game. Cubby again pushed Chimpy around in the second rack, doing so a little longer in game 4 as Chimpy had a little farther to fall before finally losing both the game and series. Cubby clinched the series at 3-1 with the game 4 win. Chimpy's scratching habit cost him again, ending game 5 in a single rack near the very end, as Cubby took the series 4-1. Ranked #118, Cubby will travel again in the fourth round, heading to Cisco Arena in Tysini to face the Hummingbirds' Bright in another series where Cubby will be a heavy underdog. Chimpy's brutal loss spelled the end of the tournament for him, which is strange for the player who usually runs deep in one event. Chimpy is the forty-second player to be eliminated, and has probably worn out his welcome with the Union, a team expected to rebuild a bit with the departing captain Kiwi and now shedding their enigma, Chimpy. Cubby, with his back against the wall, got his first kill of the season while staving off elimination himself.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Chicky Phil v. Ms. Puppy. Down in the suburbs, there's 12-ball on tap to open the night games. Westside's Chicky Phil got bit by a lack of patience in game 1, breaking up a decent set-up because he was shooting at the wrong angle, only for Modernistic's Ms. Puppy to miss her next shot and leave the cue in position for the last shot. The Rockers' Chicky Phil got buried and had to try a strategic scratch, which backfired when the Union's Ms. Puppy converted the 12 from the kitchen to the bottom side to go up 1-0 in the series. Both players struggled to set up shop in game 2, with Ms. Puppy's constant scratching giving her extra targets while also leaving Chicky Phil in unfavorable positions. Eventually, Ms. Puppy emerged by potting the 2 in the top side to set up for the 3 on a bank from the left rail to the top right, winning the game for a 2-0 lead. Chicky Phil nearly blew it in game 3, taking a long time to sink the 15 in the top left after scratching on it the first time, allowing Ms. Puppy back in the game as she worked around the table efficiently, even getting set up on her last ball before Chicky Phil ended it to push the series to 2-1. Ms. Puppy got all the bounces early on, but the last ball was pesky again in game 4, refusing to get lined up to the bottom left. In the time she spent chasing, Chicky Phil took five balls in two turns and did enough to get positioned at the end to take the game and tie the series at 2. In game 5, the game became a race for the sides, with Chicky Phil needing either or after Ms. Puppy surrendered a wild card ball, while Ms. Puppy needed the bottom side. Both players took two shots to get set, but Ms. Puppy's set-up was a little too friendly for Chicky Phil, who potted his last ball to win the series 3-2. Ranked #109 in 12-ball, Chicky Phil will travel to Chevrolet Center in Everton to face Cleo of the Eagles in the fourth round. With the loss, Ms. Puppy became the forty-third player eliminated from the tournament. Of all the change occurring at the Union, one of Ms. Puppy or Puff I will stick around, although its expected Puff I has the edge in that regard. Chicky Phil collected his first kill with the win.
Kraft Forum, Royal: Nightfur v. Leonette. Now begins a doubleheader of Rotation, starting in the southeast. Game 1 was a huge rollercoaster in the series, with Pacific's Leonette barging out to a big lead, Royal's Nightfur pulling ahead, and then the two players alternating leads until the Volcanoes' Leonette missed contact on a kick attempt, allowing Nightfur of the Crowns a second chance to pot the 15, taking the game 8-7 for a 1-0 lead in the series. Leonette didn't build as large of a lead in game 2, and likewise, Nightfur didn't have to rally as hard, but she did anyway with a five-ball run-out to take a 2-0 lead in the series on an 8-5 win. Leonette walked a dangerous path in game 3, surrendering a lead early on, but she bounced back with a three-ball run-out to win 8-7 and take the series to 2-1. Nightfur answered in game 4 with an 8-4 win, countering Leonette's comeback very efficiently with a three-ball run-out to secure the series at 3-1. Leonette salvaged game 5, coming out hot from the start and cruising to an 8-4 win to make it a 3-2 series for Nightfur. Ranked #10 in Rotation, Nightfur will make a short trip to Queens in the fourth round, as Kayla of the Flames hosts her at the Ebay Center.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Allison v. Chelsea. In the southwest, the other half of the Rotation doubleheader is scheduled. Eastside's Chelsea appeared to dominate in game 1, taking a 1-0 series lead with an 8-0 shutout victory, but it's not that clear cut. On the third ball Chelsea sank, there was significant doubt she got legal contact on the 2 for the carom, but the referee did not argue the point and she played on. Tysini's Allison took game 2, and that too was riddled with controversy. The referee made a make-up call, allowing the Hummingbirds' Allison to play on after her first potted ball looked to be from illegal contact as well. The Sharks' Chelsea did not roll over though, rallying back and making it a back-and-forth, tightly played game, but Allison had the edge at 8-7, tying the series at 1. The crowd hopes for a cleanly called final three games. The fans did not get their wish in game 3, as Chelsea took advantage of an illegal contact foul that pulled a ball back for Allison, which proved costly when she then lost the game 8-7, giving Chelsea a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 lacked controversy, a refreshing change for this series, and Allison cleanly played her way to an 8-4 that was never really that close, with Chelsea never getting established possession like Allison had. The series, with all its flaws, stood tied at 2. Allison got her make-up call in game 5, allowing her to go on a five-ball run, but those five were all she got as Chelsea started and finished strong in an 8-5 win, taking the series 3-2. Ranked #98 in Rotation, Chelsea controversially advances to the fourth round, where she will play at the Lay's Field Events Center in Victoria against the Spurs' Spice.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Puff III v. Dusky. Next up, a doubleheader late at night in Everton, beginning with 12-ball. Archtown's Dusky struck first in game 1, with a little help from a wild card ball, as she executed her shots a little better than the disorganized Puff III of Everton, taking a 1-0 lead in the process in an unremarkable game. The Eagles' Puff III shot back with a three-ball run and strong set-up shots in game 2, tying the series as the Arrows' Dusky sputtered with setting up her shots too slowly. Dusky used remarkable defensive positioning after a three-ball run to frustrate Puff III in game 3, and after missed contact, Dusky iced the game to take a 2-1 series lead with clean and simple shooting. Dusky secured the series at 3-1, winning a hard fought game 4 from Puff III after an iffy break. Dusky got a lot of her balls down early, but also surrendered a wild card ball to Puff III. Near the end, Puff III had no choice but to lose the wild card ball with a strategic scratch, with served its purpose. However, on the next turn, Puff III lost her defensive ball, and failed to kick in the last ball, allowing Dusky to take a cut at her last ball, which she made for the win. Puff III dominated in game 5, shooting very accurately to take a win. Dusky, ranked #118 in 12-ball, won the series 3-2. Dusky will travel to Tysini in the fourth round, opposing the Hummingbirds' Princess at Cisco Arena.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Goldy v. Gizmo. The other half of the locational doubleheader sees 9-ball played with the silver cue subbing in for the red cue. Everton's Goldy took a somewhat shaky game 1, as neither player seemed to have much control in their shooting, and it was good for a 1-0 lead in the series. The Eagles' Goldy looked more confident in game 2, taking a 2-0 lead with a three-ball run-out that put Central's Gizmo on his back foot in the series. In game 3, the Warriors' Gizmo missed his only chance at the 9 near the top side, and he left it short enough for Goldy to tap in to clinch the series at 3-0. Gizmo made it 3-1 in game 4, but it wasn't because of anything he did. Goldy had firm control late in the game, but her 8-9 combination saw both the 9 and the cue taking up space in the top left, surrendering a game to Gizmo with the fatal foul. Goldy took the series 4-1, running out the final four balls in game 5 to grab an extra win. Ranked #42 in 9-ball, Goldy will next host Mams of the Viewpoint Sound Meteors at this venue, although the venue decision came on a tiebreaker in qualifiers as both are technically tied for #42.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Strawberry v. Leonette. Out east, the home of the Tridents finally sees third round games, as Pronger's Strawberry makes her round debut in the fifth-to-last series, a set of 10-ball with the silver cue in for the blue cue. The Tridents' Strawberry took a 1-0 lead with a game 1 win, taking a 5-10 combination through traffic to the top left in a very clutch shot. Pacific's Leonette tied it in game 2, winning a sloppy game on her second go at the 10 in the top left, making it 1-1 in the series. The Volcanoes' Leonette took a 2-1 series lead with another iffy win in game 3, taking advantage of Strawberry again leaving the 10 short, this time at the top right for another easy tap-in after keeping possession even early in the game. Leonette took the series at 3-1 with a five-ball run-out in game 4, showing accuracy that had been hidden in earlier games, but it showed up when she needed it the most. Leonette iced the series at 4-1, capitalizing on a missed shot on the 9 by Strawberry to take the last two balls in game 5 for the win. Ranked #67 in 10-ball, Leonette will head home in the fourth round to host Crystal of the Queens Flames at the Verizon Field Events Center in Pacific.
Tomorrow, there's only 20 games on the slate as the third round will come to an end. Expect updated standings and a new schedule by posting time tomorrow night. Additionally, I will be working more on next season's logistical information as much as I can ahead of the new season. Friday will be the start of the fourth round, which is a big deal for two reasons: series are now seven games in the fourth and fifth (Quarterfinals) rounds, and the silver cue will only make appearances in the fourth round, as the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals are too significant to have appearances by a non-official entity at this point. Until next time everyone!
Summer Cricket League: Week 4 Part 3
We're wrapping up the fourth week now, with three league and two Showcase games. We begin with...
The Prague Checkmates hosting the Amsterdam Hotstove. Jerry Burke scooped 351 for Amsterdam to lead off. Pancho Barrios shot back with 423 for Prague. Yaozu Miao picked up 247 for the Hotstove, keeping them in the game. Lucila Zavala stumbled with 90 points for the Checkmates, allowing the game to tighten up a bit. Carlos Barajas collected 152 for Amsterdam, doing little to pad the lead. Hyunjae Kwak pulled 192 for Prague, making it extremely close. Veto Casas ripped 382 for the Hotstove, putting them in front again with his solid effort. Corentin Aerts answered with 367 for the Checkmates, keeping pace in the tight game. Andrew Reynolds continued to struggle for Amsterdam, posing just 119. Darryl Estrada pounded 983 for Prague, giving them a huge lead late. Manolito Avalos had 314 for the Hotstove, but they took a loss with 1565 total. Rayan Carranza hit 87 to ice the Checkmates victory at 2142. Prague is now 4-3, while Amsterdam drops to 2-8.
Next up, the two most hapless teams in the league battle, as the Seoul Crushers welcome the Caracas Hitmen. Vitaya Grichson batted 243 to get Caracas going. Natal Badillo pulled 240 for Seoul, keeping the game very close early. Barasa Contee tallied 486 for the Hitmen, putting them in charge. Gwandoya Makeba had just 126 for the Crushers, showing a bit of regression. Noppadon Gruemor posted 120 for Caracas, failing to extend the lead. Leandro Gamboa fired back with 475 for Seoul, bringing the game close again. Trevor Watson put up 287 for the Hitmen, a respectable total for a modest lead. Max Jennings crumbled with 96 for the Crushers, giving them a hill to climb. Maynard Cabagnot would be cheered right now after a cheeky scoop to the back 4s, but instead he is booed as he forget to mind the next ball and ended up with 28 for Caracas. Frank Schmidt chipped only 112 for Seoul, so Cabagnot is partially off the hook for his folly. Bojing Luo hit 176 to give the Hitmen a final of 1340 that they hope will hold up. After 96 from Zdenko Jansky gave the Crushers only 1145, Caracas celebrated. Caracas finally won, going to 1-7, while Seoul drops to 1-6.
Closing out the week, the Toronto Mounties bring in the Madrid Toros for the second half of their doubleheader. Spencer Howard chipped 160 for Madrid, getting off to a mediocre start. Cyril Hendrickx grabbed 298 for Toronto to give them a small lead. Pepillo Gamboa mustered just 129 for the Toros as the game quickly gets out of hand for them. Curro Garza blasted 703 for the Mounties against his home country's team. Lennert Verheyen supplied Madrid with 277. Axel Maes stumbled with 49 for Toronto. Thabo Chahine couldn't capitalize for the Toros, pulling in just 131 as they watched the game fade even more. Tabor Laureano continued to be the calm before the storm for the Mounties, scoring a meager 69 this game. Guillem Gamboa hit 807 for Madrid, keeping them in the fight. Jax Puente, playing his hometown team, matched it exactly with 807 for Toronto, maintaining their lead. Martin Badillo's 72 for the Toros left them at 1576 in the loss, resulting in them getting swept in the doubleheader. Antoine Hendrickx ended in a big way, scoring a fully unnecessary 856 to give the Mounties a brash 2782 for the win. Toronto is 7-1 and have the offense to back it up, while Madrid drops to 6-6 at their halfway point.
Here's the standings:
Now, we have the Showcase games, beginning with the Manila Pacmen hosting the Inland Southwest UPCL players. Inland Southwest got 331 from the Victoria Spurs' B. Chapman, who appears to be safe due to pool performance after a rocky year in cricket. Haejun Ki answered with 525 for Manila. Twinkie I of the Lighton Prestige had 80 points for Inland Southwest, jeopardizing what appeared to be a safe bid in pool with another lackluster cricket effort. Recently, Twinkie I has slipped in pool, which leaves safety in doubt for her. Porfirio Cazares managed 239 for the Pacmen. Marsell tacked on 292 to get Inland Southwest going in the right direction. Marsell is a puzzle for the Tysini Hummingbirds, who aren't sure if he's worth keeping after cutting and redrafting him last season, and these middling performances in both sports make the decision fairly tough. Sander Verheyen had jsut 140 for Manila, letting the home team slip a bit. Another Hummingbird, Bright, scored 304 for Inland Southwest. Bright is big and physical, and Tysini is prepared to keep him despite a second round swoon in pool, because his offense is a strong supplement to Princess' more crafty approach. Gerben Bovelt hit 192 for the Pacmen, which is not representative of his All-Star level effort so far in the season. Pounce didn't have a great campaign in cricket or pool, and his 240 in the Showcase may be just enough for the Prestige to say they'll move on. Dries Renard, who has struggled all season, continued in the friendly game with just 72 points for Manila, giving the lead away. Smudge, of the Infinity City Torpedoes, grabbed 160 for Inland Southwest. Smudge clearly struggled in cricket and was just eliminated in pool, so this lackluster effort may be the end of her reign as captain with the Torpedoes. Infinity City did a 3/4 rebuild after last season, and they've seen big improvements, which may lead them to believe Smudge is part of the problem rather than the solution. Inland Southwest ended with 1407. Richard Miller has also struggled for the Pacmen, and his 184 left them at a loss with 1352. Not a lot to like from the Inland Southwest players, as many of them did not turn heads here.
In the other Showcase, the Melbourne Renegades get their turn to host the UPCL Northeast. This marks the second wave of Showcases, starting over with the first UPCL side again. Leandra began with 235 for Northeast, similar to her first effort. The Harrison Specters will likely let this spark plug of a player go, and hope they won't regret it. Charlie Thompson had only 49 for Melbourne, giving them a weak start. Noelle added onto the Northeast lead with 615, doing plenty in the Showcases to convince the Central Warriors to keep her regardless of if she gets protection from pool. Theodore White had only 152 for the Renegades, as they are getting buried in this Showcase. Gizmo, while less impressive, sliced 371 for Northeast as the Warriors are also likely to keep him. Gizmo is in line to get safety from his pool effort, but the Warriors are also reluctant to break up the team that won the Hutton Cup and are currently contenders for the pool titles. Sancho Ramos got turned around for Melbourne, scoring only 112 as the SCL side is not keen on showing up big here. Slinks hit 312 for Northeast, providing two solid and consistent efforts in the Showcases. Slinks had a down year for the Specters, but her long pedigree of consistency and high-quality play in pool may be enough for them to take another year of her. Rana Naqvi grabbed only 152 for the Renegades, who remain well out of the game. Blizzard crushed 696 for Northeast here, making her last appearance in the regular season for the Everton Eagles (who are on track to make the pool playoffs, but don't have a clear roster for it yet). Blizzard's numbers don't look great, and she had one good and one bad Showcase, so this effort will have to have a lasting memory if Blizzard wants to avoid the draft again. Sikke Eichel fell with a measly 64 points for Melbourne. Cubby of the Maplewood Lumberjacks had just 33 in his showing, likely confirming his departure from the team at the end of the season. Northeast ended with a strong 2262 as the hottest region in the Showcases so far. Stanley Watts had 289 for the Renegades, taking a loss with 818 points total. Northeast swept the American Rebels and Melbourne Renegades in two strong showings, with likely half of their team gaining safety one way or another.
Week 5 begins next Monday. Pool Round 3 ends tomorrow, with Round 4 taking center stage beginning Friday.
The Prague Checkmates hosting the Amsterdam Hotstove. Jerry Burke scooped 351 for Amsterdam to lead off. Pancho Barrios shot back with 423 for Prague. Yaozu Miao picked up 247 for the Hotstove, keeping them in the game. Lucila Zavala stumbled with 90 points for the Checkmates, allowing the game to tighten up a bit. Carlos Barajas collected 152 for Amsterdam, doing little to pad the lead. Hyunjae Kwak pulled 192 for Prague, making it extremely close. Veto Casas ripped 382 for the Hotstove, putting them in front again with his solid effort. Corentin Aerts answered with 367 for the Checkmates, keeping pace in the tight game. Andrew Reynolds continued to struggle for Amsterdam, posing just 119. Darryl Estrada pounded 983 for Prague, giving them a huge lead late. Manolito Avalos had 314 for the Hotstove, but they took a loss with 1565 total. Rayan Carranza hit 87 to ice the Checkmates victory at 2142. Prague is now 4-3, while Amsterdam drops to 2-8.
Next up, the two most hapless teams in the league battle, as the Seoul Crushers welcome the Caracas Hitmen. Vitaya Grichson batted 243 to get Caracas going. Natal Badillo pulled 240 for Seoul, keeping the game very close early. Barasa Contee tallied 486 for the Hitmen, putting them in charge. Gwandoya Makeba had just 126 for the Crushers, showing a bit of regression. Noppadon Gruemor posted 120 for Caracas, failing to extend the lead. Leandro Gamboa fired back with 475 for Seoul, bringing the game close again. Trevor Watson put up 287 for the Hitmen, a respectable total for a modest lead. Max Jennings crumbled with 96 for the Crushers, giving them a hill to climb. Maynard Cabagnot would be cheered right now after a cheeky scoop to the back 4s, but instead he is booed as he forget to mind the next ball and ended up with 28 for Caracas. Frank Schmidt chipped only 112 for Seoul, so Cabagnot is partially off the hook for his folly. Bojing Luo hit 176 to give the Hitmen a final of 1340 that they hope will hold up. After 96 from Zdenko Jansky gave the Crushers only 1145, Caracas celebrated. Caracas finally won, going to 1-7, while Seoul drops to 1-6.
Closing out the week, the Toronto Mounties bring in the Madrid Toros for the second half of their doubleheader. Spencer Howard chipped 160 for Madrid, getting off to a mediocre start. Cyril Hendrickx grabbed 298 for Toronto to give them a small lead. Pepillo Gamboa mustered just 129 for the Toros as the game quickly gets out of hand for them. Curro Garza blasted 703 for the Mounties against his home country's team. Lennert Verheyen supplied Madrid with 277. Axel Maes stumbled with 49 for Toronto. Thabo Chahine couldn't capitalize for the Toros, pulling in just 131 as they watched the game fade even more. Tabor Laureano continued to be the calm before the storm for the Mounties, scoring a meager 69 this game. Guillem Gamboa hit 807 for Madrid, keeping them in the fight. Jax Puente, playing his hometown team, matched it exactly with 807 for Toronto, maintaining their lead. Martin Badillo's 72 for the Toros left them at 1576 in the loss, resulting in them getting swept in the doubleheader. Antoine Hendrickx ended in a big way, scoring a fully unnecessary 856 to give the Mounties a brash 2782 for the win. Toronto is 7-1 and have the offense to back it up, while Madrid drops to 6-6 at their halfway point.
Here's the standings:
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win % |
| American Rebels | 5 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Toronto Mounties | 7 | 1 | 0.875 |
| Bangkok Sixes | 6 | 1 | 0.857 |
| Melbourne Renegades | 5 | 3 | 0.625 |
| Prague Checkmates | 4 | 3 | 0.571 |
| Madrid Toros | 6 | 6 | 0.500 |
| Manila Pacmen | 4 | 4 | 0.500 |
| Johannesburg Lions | 4 | 4 | 0.500 |
| Guatemala Conquistadors | 2 | 2 | 0.500 |
| Brussels Chocolatiers | 5 | 7 | 0.417 |
| Amsterdam Hotstove | 2 | 8 | 0.200 |
| Seoul Crushers | 1 | 6 | 0.143 |
| Caracas Hitmen | 1 | 7 | 0.125 |
Now, we have the Showcase games, beginning with the Manila Pacmen hosting the Inland Southwest UPCL players. Inland Southwest got 331 from the Victoria Spurs' B. Chapman, who appears to be safe due to pool performance after a rocky year in cricket. Haejun Ki answered with 525 for Manila. Twinkie I of the Lighton Prestige had 80 points for Inland Southwest, jeopardizing what appeared to be a safe bid in pool with another lackluster cricket effort. Recently, Twinkie I has slipped in pool, which leaves safety in doubt for her. Porfirio Cazares managed 239 for the Pacmen. Marsell tacked on 292 to get Inland Southwest going in the right direction. Marsell is a puzzle for the Tysini Hummingbirds, who aren't sure if he's worth keeping after cutting and redrafting him last season, and these middling performances in both sports make the decision fairly tough. Sander Verheyen had jsut 140 for Manila, letting the home team slip a bit. Another Hummingbird, Bright, scored 304 for Inland Southwest. Bright is big and physical, and Tysini is prepared to keep him despite a second round swoon in pool, because his offense is a strong supplement to Princess' more crafty approach. Gerben Bovelt hit 192 for the Pacmen, which is not representative of his All-Star level effort so far in the season. Pounce didn't have a great campaign in cricket or pool, and his 240 in the Showcase may be just enough for the Prestige to say they'll move on. Dries Renard, who has struggled all season, continued in the friendly game with just 72 points for Manila, giving the lead away. Smudge, of the Infinity City Torpedoes, grabbed 160 for Inland Southwest. Smudge clearly struggled in cricket and was just eliminated in pool, so this lackluster effort may be the end of her reign as captain with the Torpedoes. Infinity City did a 3/4 rebuild after last season, and they've seen big improvements, which may lead them to believe Smudge is part of the problem rather than the solution. Inland Southwest ended with 1407. Richard Miller has also struggled for the Pacmen, and his 184 left them at a loss with 1352. Not a lot to like from the Inland Southwest players, as many of them did not turn heads here.
In the other Showcase, the Melbourne Renegades get their turn to host the UPCL Northeast. This marks the second wave of Showcases, starting over with the first UPCL side again. Leandra began with 235 for Northeast, similar to her first effort. The Harrison Specters will likely let this spark plug of a player go, and hope they won't regret it. Charlie Thompson had only 49 for Melbourne, giving them a weak start. Noelle added onto the Northeast lead with 615, doing plenty in the Showcases to convince the Central Warriors to keep her regardless of if she gets protection from pool. Theodore White had only 152 for the Renegades, as they are getting buried in this Showcase. Gizmo, while less impressive, sliced 371 for Northeast as the Warriors are also likely to keep him. Gizmo is in line to get safety from his pool effort, but the Warriors are also reluctant to break up the team that won the Hutton Cup and are currently contenders for the pool titles. Sancho Ramos got turned around for Melbourne, scoring only 112 as the SCL side is not keen on showing up big here. Slinks hit 312 for Northeast, providing two solid and consistent efforts in the Showcases. Slinks had a down year for the Specters, but her long pedigree of consistency and high-quality play in pool may be enough for them to take another year of her. Rana Naqvi grabbed only 152 for the Renegades, who remain well out of the game. Blizzard crushed 696 for Northeast here, making her last appearance in the regular season for the Everton Eagles (who are on track to make the pool playoffs, but don't have a clear roster for it yet). Blizzard's numbers don't look great, and she had one good and one bad Showcase, so this effort will have to have a lasting memory if Blizzard wants to avoid the draft again. Sikke Eichel fell with a measly 64 points for Melbourne. Cubby of the Maplewood Lumberjacks had just 33 in his showing, likely confirming his departure from the team at the end of the season. Northeast ended with a strong 2262 as the hottest region in the Showcases so far. Stanley Watts had 289 for the Renegades, taking a loss with 818 points total. Northeast swept the American Rebels and Melbourne Renegades in two strong showings, with likely half of their team gaining safety one way or another.
Week 5 begins next Monday. Pool Round 3 ends tomorrow, with Round 4 taking center stage beginning Friday.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Pool: Round Three Day 8
A slightly lighter slate today, beginning at...
Apple Center, TodavÃa: Sparkles v. Kiwi. Two well known players are engaging in the first of a doubleheader for 15-ball. TodavÃa's Sparkles took a sloppy game 1 as Modernistic's Kiwi scratched to end a late three-ball run, giving the Stills' Sparkles ball-in-hand on the 15 for a 1-0 lead after the easy conversion. The Union's Kiwi tied it at 1 under nearly identical circumstances in game 2, except that Sparkles didn't scratch to end a three-ball run. Kiwi took a 2-1 series lead in game 3, using a four-ball run-out to get the win as the players appear to be getting more comfortable after a rocky start. Kiwi handled herself well in game 4, not getting a lot of shots due to Sparkles having a pair of strong runs, but Kiwi worked out fine with a three-ball run-out to move into a 3-1 series lead. The series ended as it started, with Sparkles winning a sloppy game. In game 5, Kiwi appeared to have the run of play but fell apart late and whiffed on the 15, giving Sparkles the win. Kiwi still won the series 3-2, and she takes her #55 ranked 15-ball bid to the fourth round.
Ebay Center, Queens: Crystal v. Ruby. The other half of the 15-ball doubleheader comes from the southeast. Archtown's Ruby took game 1 in a game that saw a bit of luck and a quick pace, taking advantage of Queens' Crystal leaving the 15 short for a tap-in that led to a 1-0 lead. The Arrows' Ruby made it 2-0 in the series in a very back-and-forth game 2, with neither player carrying any pace throughout. The ending saw the Flames' Crystal miss on a kick from the bottom rail on the 15, setting up a left-handed shot that Ruby tapped in to the top left for the win. Crystal took game 3 when Ruby couldn't stay true on a late run, giving Crystal easy shots on the final two balls to earn her a win that made it 2-1 in the series. Ruby did just enough to clinch the series in game 4, holding on as Crystal made quite a few shots in the fast-paced stanza, only to miss on the 14, which Ruby cleaned up and got set up on the 15 for, which then also went down to give Ruby the 3-1 lead. Crystal got one back in game 5, as Ruby couldn't extend her final five-ball run, allowing Crystal a short range shot on the 15 to make it a 3-2 series favoring Ruby. Ranked #82, Ruby will travel in the fourth round to Capital City SuperCenter, where the Sharpshooters' Dani awaits to host her.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Tigerette v. Dustin. Up north a bit, there's a series of 10-ball on tap. Game 1 went very quickly, with a three-ball run by Central's Dustin sandwiched between an early four-ball run and a closing two-ball run-out by Commerce's Tigerette, who went up 1-0 in the series. The Tradewinds' Tigerette won a more grueling game 2, where she seemed to come out on top every time the pace slowed, including on the 10 for a 2-0 lead. Tigerette claimed game 3 as well, with tensions rising as the balls failed to be potted quickly. Tigerette took a 3-0 lead on a three-ball run-out, but getting to that point was difficult, with accuracy not being very high for either player, and especially not for a frustrated Dustin of the Warriors. Tigerette made it 4-0 after game 4, taking the end of a late three-ball run by Dustin as the perfect opportunity to end a 10-ball game old-school: by banking the 10 off the top rail to the bottom left. Tigerette completed the sweep in game 5 with a three-ball run-out with excellent positioning, taking a frustrating series 5-0. Tigerette is ranked #41 in 10-ball, and she will play on in the fourth round.
HP Field Events Center, Eastside: Taylor Swift v. Snuggle. For the 100th series of the round, we have Rotation with some star power. Oceanside's Snuggle got out to an early lead in a somewhat messy game 1, but Taylor of Eastside both cleaned up the shooting and pulled ahead later, staving off the Waves' Snuggle until she made the 15 to take the game 8-7 and earn a 1-0 series lead. The Sharks' Taylor didn't let it get that close in game 2, winning 8-1 after getting several bounces to go her way in taking a 2-0 series lead. Snuggle shot back in game 3, charging to an early lead and sealing an 8-3 victory with a three-ball run-out made possible by Taylor missing contact on the 9 to give Snuggle the ball-in-hand for his finishing run-out. The series stood at 2-1 after that game. Taylor took a thrilling game 4 in a somewhat anticlimactic fashion, as the game was tied at 7 with Snuggle shooting the 15. His scratch gave Taylor ball-in-hand and the 8-7 victory to clinch the series at 3-1. Snuggle again started well in game 5, but Taylor refused to go away, sticking with Snuggle shot for shot before pulling ahead at 8-7 in the end, taking the series 4-1. Taylor, ranked #41, will host Max of the Queens Flames at this venue in the fourth round.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Mams v. Strut. Next up, a doubleheader of 9-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Mams got very luck when Golden's Strut rattled the 9 out in game 1, allowing Mams of the Meteors to mop it up to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Mams took game 2 as well, moving to a 2-0 in the series with a three-ball run-out after the Pilots' Strut failed to make contact on the 6. Strut had a highlight in game 3, making a sharp cut on the 6 to the bottom left that caromed and took the 7 in the top left for a double-pot as part of a four-ball run. Strut peaked too early in the game, missing the 9, which allowed Mams to tap it in for a 3-0 series lead. Mams took game 4 in a similar way, as Strut again missed the 9 late, allowing another tap-in by Mams to the bottom left to take a 4-0 series lead in the shaky stanza. Mams completed the 5-0 sweep when Strut scratched on his attempt at the 9, giving Mams ball-in-hand. Mams, ranked #42 in 9-ball, will continue to the fourth round. With the loss, Strut's brutal pool season comes to an end as the thirty-fifth player to be eliminated this tournament. Strut will play with the Pilots next season, as his cricket effort has him listed as a protected player. Mams earned her first kill of the tournament.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: J. Garcia v. Ruby. The other half of the 9-ball doubleheader comes from the southeast. Southridge's Garcia, well known for her ability to win off the break in the smaller-rack games, struck with the 9 in the bottom left for a game 1 win and 1-0 series lead. Archtown's Ruby showed just how lethal she could be in game 2, tying the series at 1 with a single shot, a carom off the 1 to send the 9 to the top left. The Arrows' Ruby took a 2-1 series lead with a dominant effort in game 3, taking three turns to earn the win. Ruby had a seven-ball run in her second turn, and after the Defenders' Garcia missed on the 8, Ruby took the 8 and 9 with easy positioning for the win. Ruby clinched the series at 3-1 with a game 4 win in an evenly-matched game. Both players had streaks of possession, but Ruby set herself apart at the end, making the 9 from distance to the top right for the clinching shot. Garcia got one back in game 5, taking advantage of Ruby failing to tap the 7 in from ball-in-hand to create a double-pot that sent the 7 to the nearby top side while the 9 cruised to the bottom right. Ruby took the series 3-2, and her #29 ranked 9-ball bid will play host to the Oceanside Waves' Snuggle at Starbucks Arena in Archtown in the fourth round. With the loss, Garcia is the thirty-sixth player to be eliminated from the tournament. The Southridge Defenders have no obligation to retain Garcia's services, but they may be willing to do so anyway under the assumption of a sophomore slump. Ruby, somewhat surprisingly, earned her first kill of the season.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Princess v. Mams. On to 8-ball in the southwest with the leading MVP candidate try to answer a high-character win from Ruby a series ago. Tysini's Princess won a very standard game 1 by making the last two balls, a straight in shot from an odd angle on the 5 to the top side that positioned her for the 8 to go up 1-0. Viewpoint Sound's Mams tied the series with a game 2 win, including a five-ball run that nearly ended the game had the 8 not been left short at the top left. Conveniently, the Hummingbirds' Princess had three of her four remaining balls near that pocket, but she made two before finally surrendering the equalizer to make it 1-1 in the series. Princess held the Meteors' Mams off the board until Princess had only the 8 left, and she played a patient end-game routine, until Mams finally left the cue in line for a simple shot on the 8 that gave Princess a 2-1 series lead. Mams did the rest of the damage herself, squandering a game 4 lead to draw even and then missing a straight shot on the 10 that resulted in the cue driving the 8 prematurely to the top right, giving Princess a 3-1 series win in the process. Princess used a four-ball run-out in game 5 to secure a 4-1 series win, again coming from behind to topple Mams. Princess, ranked #8 in 8-ball, will host her fourth round series on that bracket.
Nissan Hall, Infinity City: Gabe v. A. Charlton. The first series of a doubleheader at this venue is in 7-ball to close the afternoon. Infinity City's Gabe quickly got out to a 1-0 lead, taking game 1 on the break with the 7 falling in the bottom side. The Torpedoes' Gabe dominated possession in game 2, allowing Charlton of Golden to make just one ball. Gabe went to 2-0 in the series, using a three-ball run early and solid defense late to take the game. Gabe clinched the series at 3-0 after both players jockeyed for the 7 a couple of times. Charlton of the Pilots missed the 7 on her second attempt, giving Gabe the ball-in-hand he used to tap it in for the win. Charlton played well in game 4, trying to get at least one game in the series, but she again lost as she left the 7 short at the bottom left, where Gabe tapped it in to go up 4-0 in the series. Charlton did get her game in game 5, a sloppy game but a win nonetheless. Gabe, ranked #43 in 7-ball, won the series 4-1 and will play in the fourth round. With the loss, Charlton is the thirty-seventh player eliminated, ending her rookie season. Charlton is likely to stay with the Pilots as they seek stability for the first time in their existence, and she did reasonably well in both sports to warrant the stay. Charlton is not protected with either performance, but she was essential to the offense in cricket and serviceable as a rookie in pool. Gabe earned his first kill with the win.
Nissan Hall, Infinity City: Smudge v. Kayla. Opening the night shift, there's the second half of the locational doubleheader, the first half of the 15-ball doubleheader, and the silver cue in for the blue cue. Queens' Kayla took a 1-0 lead after a game 1 win, which went very sloppily. The ending in particular was the worst, as both players jockeyed around the 15 without actually getting any real change in position. The Flames' Kayla wasted no time in making it 2-0, winning game 2 by hitting the 2 into a line of balls that sent the 15 spraying out to the bottom left for the victory, putting Infinity City's Smudge into a precarious position for the series. Game 3 was another foul-riddled affair, as both players made illegal contact and scratched frequently. None was worse than Smudge's scratch after she made the 15, giving Kayla the game and the series at 3-0 with one unlucky roll of the cue. The Torpedoes Smudge got herself on the board with a game 4 win, using strong accuracy and positioning to engineer a six-ball run-out to make it 3-1 in the series. Smudge had a three-ball run-out in game 5, another somewhat sloppy game, to make it a 3-2 series win for Kayla. Ranked #80, Kayla will travel to Pearl in the fourth round to play the Surfers' Wings at the Honda Driftwood Coliseum. Smudge became the thirty-eighth player eliminated in the tournament with the loss, and she is questionable to return to the Torpedoes next season. They have had unusual success in pool, but they couldn't get going in cricket, and as captain, Smudge may be going down with the ship here. Kayla collected her second kill of the season.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Shannon v. Bear. Out on the coast, the second half of the 15-ball doubleheader sees the silver cue sub in for the red cue. Southern's Shannon lucked into a victory in game 1, as she scratched before the 15, only to watch Whitewater's Bear follow the 15 in the top side with the cue for a game-losing scratch, giving the Monarchs' Shannon the 1-0 lead. The Shores' Bear tied the series at 1 with a five-ball run-out in game 2, using impressive execution of his intended shots to get the equalizer. Bear appeared on track in game 3, getting a late five-ball run, but his miss on the 14 made the last two balls easy for Shannon to pot, taking a 2-1 lead in the process. Shannon kind of stumbled into a three-ball run-out in game 4, not really setting up for it at all and not getting ball-in-hand from Bear, who played a nearly perfect clean game. Shannon's win earned her the series at 3-1. In game 5, the 15 ball got rattled around like a crash test dummy on one of Shannon's shots, eventually falling in the top side to give her a weird win. I'd say what route it took to get there, but I didn't expect it to happen in the first place, and I didn't really see what happened. Shannon won the series 4-1, and her #98 ranked 15-ball campaign will host Marsell of the Tysini Hummingbirds at this venue in the fourth round. Hosting two series on a 51-seeded bid is impressive in and of itself, as Shannon occupies the 51 spot on the red side of the 15-ball bracket.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Snuggle v. Fluffina. Now, a doubleheader of 8-ball beginning on the coast. Maplewood's Fluffina kept herself competitive for most of game 1, waiting until Oceanside's Snuggle put himself in a bad position to cruise ahead and take the game for a 1-0 lead. The Lumberjacks' Fluffina went to 2-0 in the series with a dominant game 2 effort, running six balls on one turn before taking her final two on the next in a show of positioning and accuracy. Fluffina clinched the series in game 3, as the Waves' Snuggle took a set-up shot on the 8 that only benefited Fluffina in the end when she tapped it in to complete her five-ball run-out. Fluffina proved she is very dangerous to go on extended streaks of hot shooting. Snuggle got on the board with a win in game 4, playing just enough defense to hold Fluffina up long enough to get around her to the 8 and make it a 3-1 series. Snuggle got another game back in game 5, going on a four-ball run-out to stun Fluffina late. Fluffina won the series 3-2, and her #47 ranked 8-ball bid will play on into the fourth round, where she visits Princess of the Hummingbirds at Cisco Arena in Tysini.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Gizmo v. Blizzard. The other half of the 8-ball doubleheader sees the return of the red cue after the blue cue came back last series. Everton's Blizzard shot very crisply in game 1, winning with a three-ball run-out in a very calm but strong effort. Central's Gizmo replied with a three-ball run-out of his own in game 2, working around a lot of scratches by himself and by the Eagles' Blizzard to tie the series at 1. Game 3 was a pretty tightly-contested game, which saw Gizmo come out on top after getting a late three-ball run and enough defensive positioning to hold Blizzard off long enough for Gizmo to win, moving to a 2-1 lead in the series. Blizzard made a deep run in game 4, getting ready to take the 8 but missing on the first attempt. Gizmo made sure there wasn't a second try, as he completed a three-ball run-out to take the game and clinch the series at 3-1. Gizmo continued with a strong rally in game 5, a five-ball run that allowed him to shoot patiently en route to a win and a 4-1 series win. Ranked #53 in 8-ball, Gizmo next travels to Everton's Chevrolet Center to face the Eagles' Puff III in the fourth round. With the loss, Blizzard became the thirty-ninth player to be eliminated this season. While her peripheral characteristics looked like a good fit with the Eagles, Everton's team simply needs more offense in both sports that Blizzard has never provided any team in her career. She may be one of the fourth-team-in-four-years players if the Eagles choose to part ways. Gizmo earned his first kill of the season with the win.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Panda v. Puff II. Next up, we head to the coast for a series of Rotation. Southern's Panda got off to a hot start in game 1, only to watch his lead evaporate at the hands of Boston's Puff II. He bounced back, eventually taking the game on a mistake by the Swifts' Puff II, with Panda of the Monarchs winning 8-5 to begin with a 1-0 series lead. Puff II bounced back in dominant form in game 2, working the table efficiently while leaving nothing for Panda to work with as she won 8-1 and tied the series at 1. Puff II went up 2-1 in the series with an 8-6 win in game 3, staving off a four-ball run by Panda with a three-ball run of her own, which helped her control the game late until she got the win. Puff II took another 8-6 decision in game 4, a sloppier game that saw numerous misses by both players while the score was tied at 5. With the win, Puff II clinched the series at 3-1. In game 5, Panda pulled out to a nice lead, but Puff II remained pesky, tying the game and then pulling ahead on a three-ball run. One scratch by Panda later gave Puff II an 8-5 win for a 4-1 series win. Ranked #17 in Rotation, Puff II will host Oreo of the Swordpoint Blades at Boston's Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center.
Ebay Center, Queens: Kayla v. Dani. Two of Club Humanity's best go at it in Survival to close the evening out. Queens' Kayla struck first, holding on to make multiple shots with her back against the wall, which then gave her momentum that pushed Capital City's Dani to fall apart in the second rack, giving the Flames' Kayla a 1-0 lead. Kayla charged to a 2-0 lead, again managing to hold on in dire straits, only to see the Sharpshooters' Dani crumble in the same situation. Kayla did this all again in two racks in game 2, nearly copying game 1. In game 3, Dani oscillated between two and five lives over the course of the second and third racks before Kayla finally surrendered her final life, making it 2-1 in the series. Kayla took the series with a quick win in game 4, as Dani never got into a groove and lost her lives very quickly, giving Kayla a 3-1 series lead. Kayla won the series 4-1 in a throwaway game 5, in which Dani and Kayla put on a bit of a show but eventually Kayla cruised and Dani faded. Kayla, ranked #19 for Survival, will host Sierra of the TodavÃa Stills at this venue in the fourth round.
Just as promised, 70 games today. The shooting was a bit off, especially with the usually top-of-the-line blue cue and noticeably with the silver cue as well. Still, not much to dislike. Two more days this round, unless I somehow wrangle 90 games tomorrow, which is highly unlikely.
Apple Center, TodavÃa: Sparkles v. Kiwi. Two well known players are engaging in the first of a doubleheader for 15-ball. TodavÃa's Sparkles took a sloppy game 1 as Modernistic's Kiwi scratched to end a late three-ball run, giving the Stills' Sparkles ball-in-hand on the 15 for a 1-0 lead after the easy conversion. The Union's Kiwi tied it at 1 under nearly identical circumstances in game 2, except that Sparkles didn't scratch to end a three-ball run. Kiwi took a 2-1 series lead in game 3, using a four-ball run-out to get the win as the players appear to be getting more comfortable after a rocky start. Kiwi handled herself well in game 4, not getting a lot of shots due to Sparkles having a pair of strong runs, but Kiwi worked out fine with a three-ball run-out to move into a 3-1 series lead. The series ended as it started, with Sparkles winning a sloppy game. In game 5, Kiwi appeared to have the run of play but fell apart late and whiffed on the 15, giving Sparkles the win. Kiwi still won the series 3-2, and she takes her #55 ranked 15-ball bid to the fourth round.
Ebay Center, Queens: Crystal v. Ruby. The other half of the 15-ball doubleheader comes from the southeast. Archtown's Ruby took game 1 in a game that saw a bit of luck and a quick pace, taking advantage of Queens' Crystal leaving the 15 short for a tap-in that led to a 1-0 lead. The Arrows' Ruby made it 2-0 in the series in a very back-and-forth game 2, with neither player carrying any pace throughout. The ending saw the Flames' Crystal miss on a kick from the bottom rail on the 15, setting up a left-handed shot that Ruby tapped in to the top left for the win. Crystal took game 3 when Ruby couldn't stay true on a late run, giving Crystal easy shots on the final two balls to earn her a win that made it 2-1 in the series. Ruby did just enough to clinch the series in game 4, holding on as Crystal made quite a few shots in the fast-paced stanza, only to miss on the 14, which Ruby cleaned up and got set up on the 15 for, which then also went down to give Ruby the 3-1 lead. Crystal got one back in game 5, as Ruby couldn't extend her final five-ball run, allowing Crystal a short range shot on the 15 to make it a 3-2 series favoring Ruby. Ranked #82, Ruby will travel in the fourth round to Capital City SuperCenter, where the Sharpshooters' Dani awaits to host her.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Tigerette v. Dustin. Up north a bit, there's a series of 10-ball on tap. Game 1 went very quickly, with a three-ball run by Central's Dustin sandwiched between an early four-ball run and a closing two-ball run-out by Commerce's Tigerette, who went up 1-0 in the series. The Tradewinds' Tigerette won a more grueling game 2, where she seemed to come out on top every time the pace slowed, including on the 10 for a 2-0 lead. Tigerette claimed game 3 as well, with tensions rising as the balls failed to be potted quickly. Tigerette took a 3-0 lead on a three-ball run-out, but getting to that point was difficult, with accuracy not being very high for either player, and especially not for a frustrated Dustin of the Warriors. Tigerette made it 4-0 after game 4, taking the end of a late three-ball run by Dustin as the perfect opportunity to end a 10-ball game old-school: by banking the 10 off the top rail to the bottom left. Tigerette completed the sweep in game 5 with a three-ball run-out with excellent positioning, taking a frustrating series 5-0. Tigerette is ranked #41 in 10-ball, and she will play on in the fourth round.
HP Field Events Center, Eastside: Taylor Swift v. Snuggle. For the 100th series of the round, we have Rotation with some star power. Oceanside's Snuggle got out to an early lead in a somewhat messy game 1, but Taylor of Eastside both cleaned up the shooting and pulled ahead later, staving off the Waves' Snuggle until she made the 15 to take the game 8-7 and earn a 1-0 series lead. The Sharks' Taylor didn't let it get that close in game 2, winning 8-1 after getting several bounces to go her way in taking a 2-0 series lead. Snuggle shot back in game 3, charging to an early lead and sealing an 8-3 victory with a three-ball run-out made possible by Taylor missing contact on the 9 to give Snuggle the ball-in-hand for his finishing run-out. The series stood at 2-1 after that game. Taylor took a thrilling game 4 in a somewhat anticlimactic fashion, as the game was tied at 7 with Snuggle shooting the 15. His scratch gave Taylor ball-in-hand and the 8-7 victory to clinch the series at 3-1. Snuggle again started well in game 5, but Taylor refused to go away, sticking with Snuggle shot for shot before pulling ahead at 8-7 in the end, taking the series 4-1. Taylor, ranked #41, will host Max of the Queens Flames at this venue in the fourth round.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Mams v. Strut. Next up, a doubleheader of 9-ball. Viewpoint Sound's Mams got very luck when Golden's Strut rattled the 9 out in game 1, allowing Mams of the Meteors to mop it up to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Mams took game 2 as well, moving to a 2-0 in the series with a three-ball run-out after the Pilots' Strut failed to make contact on the 6. Strut had a highlight in game 3, making a sharp cut on the 6 to the bottom left that caromed and took the 7 in the top left for a double-pot as part of a four-ball run. Strut peaked too early in the game, missing the 9, which allowed Mams to tap it in for a 3-0 series lead. Mams took game 4 in a similar way, as Strut again missed the 9 late, allowing another tap-in by Mams to the bottom left to take a 4-0 series lead in the shaky stanza. Mams completed the 5-0 sweep when Strut scratched on his attempt at the 9, giving Mams ball-in-hand. Mams, ranked #42 in 9-ball, will continue to the fourth round. With the loss, Strut's brutal pool season comes to an end as the thirty-fifth player to be eliminated this tournament. Strut will play with the Pilots next season, as his cricket effort has him listed as a protected player. Mams earned her first kill of the tournament.
GE Stadium Events Center, Southridge: J. Garcia v. Ruby. The other half of the 9-ball doubleheader comes from the southeast. Southridge's Garcia, well known for her ability to win off the break in the smaller-rack games, struck with the 9 in the bottom left for a game 1 win and 1-0 series lead. Archtown's Ruby showed just how lethal she could be in game 2, tying the series at 1 with a single shot, a carom off the 1 to send the 9 to the top left. The Arrows' Ruby took a 2-1 series lead with a dominant effort in game 3, taking three turns to earn the win. Ruby had a seven-ball run in her second turn, and after the Defenders' Garcia missed on the 8, Ruby took the 8 and 9 with easy positioning for the win. Ruby clinched the series at 3-1 with a game 4 win in an evenly-matched game. Both players had streaks of possession, but Ruby set herself apart at the end, making the 9 from distance to the top right for the clinching shot. Garcia got one back in game 5, taking advantage of Ruby failing to tap the 7 in from ball-in-hand to create a double-pot that sent the 7 to the nearby top side while the 9 cruised to the bottom right. Ruby took the series 3-2, and her #29 ranked 9-ball bid will play host to the Oceanside Waves' Snuggle at Starbucks Arena in Archtown in the fourth round. With the loss, Garcia is the thirty-sixth player to be eliminated from the tournament. The Southridge Defenders have no obligation to retain Garcia's services, but they may be willing to do so anyway under the assumption of a sophomore slump. Ruby, somewhat surprisingly, earned her first kill of the season.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Princess v. Mams. On to 8-ball in the southwest with the leading MVP candidate try to answer a high-character win from Ruby a series ago. Tysini's Princess won a very standard game 1 by making the last two balls, a straight in shot from an odd angle on the 5 to the top side that positioned her for the 8 to go up 1-0. Viewpoint Sound's Mams tied the series with a game 2 win, including a five-ball run that nearly ended the game had the 8 not been left short at the top left. Conveniently, the Hummingbirds' Princess had three of her four remaining balls near that pocket, but she made two before finally surrendering the equalizer to make it 1-1 in the series. Princess held the Meteors' Mams off the board until Princess had only the 8 left, and she played a patient end-game routine, until Mams finally left the cue in line for a simple shot on the 8 that gave Princess a 2-1 series lead. Mams did the rest of the damage herself, squandering a game 4 lead to draw even and then missing a straight shot on the 10 that resulted in the cue driving the 8 prematurely to the top right, giving Princess a 3-1 series win in the process. Princess used a four-ball run-out in game 5 to secure a 4-1 series win, again coming from behind to topple Mams. Princess, ranked #8 in 8-ball, will host her fourth round series on that bracket.
Nissan Hall, Infinity City: Gabe v. A. Charlton. The first series of a doubleheader at this venue is in 7-ball to close the afternoon. Infinity City's Gabe quickly got out to a 1-0 lead, taking game 1 on the break with the 7 falling in the bottom side. The Torpedoes' Gabe dominated possession in game 2, allowing Charlton of Golden to make just one ball. Gabe went to 2-0 in the series, using a three-ball run early and solid defense late to take the game. Gabe clinched the series at 3-0 after both players jockeyed for the 7 a couple of times. Charlton of the Pilots missed the 7 on her second attempt, giving Gabe the ball-in-hand he used to tap it in for the win. Charlton played well in game 4, trying to get at least one game in the series, but she again lost as she left the 7 short at the bottom left, where Gabe tapped it in to go up 4-0 in the series. Charlton did get her game in game 5, a sloppy game but a win nonetheless. Gabe, ranked #43 in 7-ball, won the series 4-1 and will play in the fourth round. With the loss, Charlton is the thirty-seventh player eliminated, ending her rookie season. Charlton is likely to stay with the Pilots as they seek stability for the first time in their existence, and she did reasonably well in both sports to warrant the stay. Charlton is not protected with either performance, but she was essential to the offense in cricket and serviceable as a rookie in pool. Gabe earned his first kill with the win.
Nissan Hall, Infinity City: Smudge v. Kayla. Opening the night shift, there's the second half of the locational doubleheader, the first half of the 15-ball doubleheader, and the silver cue in for the blue cue. Queens' Kayla took a 1-0 lead after a game 1 win, which went very sloppily. The ending in particular was the worst, as both players jockeyed around the 15 without actually getting any real change in position. The Flames' Kayla wasted no time in making it 2-0, winning game 2 by hitting the 2 into a line of balls that sent the 15 spraying out to the bottom left for the victory, putting Infinity City's Smudge into a precarious position for the series. Game 3 was another foul-riddled affair, as both players made illegal contact and scratched frequently. None was worse than Smudge's scratch after she made the 15, giving Kayla the game and the series at 3-0 with one unlucky roll of the cue. The Torpedoes Smudge got herself on the board with a game 4 win, using strong accuracy and positioning to engineer a six-ball run-out to make it 3-1 in the series. Smudge had a three-ball run-out in game 5, another somewhat sloppy game, to make it a 3-2 series win for Kayla. Ranked #80, Kayla will travel to Pearl in the fourth round to play the Surfers' Wings at the Honda Driftwood Coliseum. Smudge became the thirty-eighth player eliminated in the tournament with the loss, and she is questionable to return to the Torpedoes next season. They have had unusual success in pool, but they couldn't get going in cricket, and as captain, Smudge may be going down with the ship here. Kayla collected her second kill of the season.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Shannon v. Bear. Out on the coast, the second half of the 15-ball doubleheader sees the silver cue sub in for the red cue. Southern's Shannon lucked into a victory in game 1, as she scratched before the 15, only to watch Whitewater's Bear follow the 15 in the top side with the cue for a game-losing scratch, giving the Monarchs' Shannon the 1-0 lead. The Shores' Bear tied the series at 1 with a five-ball run-out in game 2, using impressive execution of his intended shots to get the equalizer. Bear appeared on track in game 3, getting a late five-ball run, but his miss on the 14 made the last two balls easy for Shannon to pot, taking a 2-1 lead in the process. Shannon kind of stumbled into a three-ball run-out in game 4, not really setting up for it at all and not getting ball-in-hand from Bear, who played a nearly perfect clean game. Shannon's win earned her the series at 3-1. In game 5, the 15 ball got rattled around like a crash test dummy on one of Shannon's shots, eventually falling in the top side to give her a weird win. I'd say what route it took to get there, but I didn't expect it to happen in the first place, and I didn't really see what happened. Shannon won the series 4-1, and her #98 ranked 15-ball campaign will host Marsell of the Tysini Hummingbirds at this venue in the fourth round. Hosting two series on a 51-seeded bid is impressive in and of itself, as Shannon occupies the 51 spot on the red side of the 15-ball bracket.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Snuggle v. Fluffina. Now, a doubleheader of 8-ball beginning on the coast. Maplewood's Fluffina kept herself competitive for most of game 1, waiting until Oceanside's Snuggle put himself in a bad position to cruise ahead and take the game for a 1-0 lead. The Lumberjacks' Fluffina went to 2-0 in the series with a dominant game 2 effort, running six balls on one turn before taking her final two on the next in a show of positioning and accuracy. Fluffina clinched the series in game 3, as the Waves' Snuggle took a set-up shot on the 8 that only benefited Fluffina in the end when she tapped it in to complete her five-ball run-out. Fluffina proved she is very dangerous to go on extended streaks of hot shooting. Snuggle got on the board with a win in game 4, playing just enough defense to hold Fluffina up long enough to get around her to the 8 and make it a 3-1 series. Snuggle got another game back in game 5, going on a four-ball run-out to stun Fluffina late. Fluffina won the series 3-2, and her #47 ranked 8-ball bid will play on into the fourth round, where she visits Princess of the Hummingbirds at Cisco Arena in Tysini.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Gizmo v. Blizzard. The other half of the 8-ball doubleheader sees the return of the red cue after the blue cue came back last series. Everton's Blizzard shot very crisply in game 1, winning with a three-ball run-out in a very calm but strong effort. Central's Gizmo replied with a three-ball run-out of his own in game 2, working around a lot of scratches by himself and by the Eagles' Blizzard to tie the series at 1. Game 3 was a pretty tightly-contested game, which saw Gizmo come out on top after getting a late three-ball run and enough defensive positioning to hold Blizzard off long enough for Gizmo to win, moving to a 2-1 lead in the series. Blizzard made a deep run in game 4, getting ready to take the 8 but missing on the first attempt. Gizmo made sure there wasn't a second try, as he completed a three-ball run-out to take the game and clinch the series at 3-1. Gizmo continued with a strong rally in game 5, a five-ball run that allowed him to shoot patiently en route to a win and a 4-1 series win. Ranked #53 in 8-ball, Gizmo next travels to Everton's Chevrolet Center to face the Eagles' Puff III in the fourth round. With the loss, Blizzard became the thirty-ninth player to be eliminated this season. While her peripheral characteristics looked like a good fit with the Eagles, Everton's team simply needs more offense in both sports that Blizzard has never provided any team in her career. She may be one of the fourth-team-in-four-years players if the Eagles choose to part ways. Gizmo earned his first kill of the season with the win.
Microsoft Center, Del Sur: Panda v. Puff II. Next up, we head to the coast for a series of Rotation. Southern's Panda got off to a hot start in game 1, only to watch his lead evaporate at the hands of Boston's Puff II. He bounced back, eventually taking the game on a mistake by the Swifts' Puff II, with Panda of the Monarchs winning 8-5 to begin with a 1-0 series lead. Puff II bounced back in dominant form in game 2, working the table efficiently while leaving nothing for Panda to work with as she won 8-1 and tied the series at 1. Puff II went up 2-1 in the series with an 8-6 win in game 3, staving off a four-ball run by Panda with a three-ball run of her own, which helped her control the game late until she got the win. Puff II took another 8-6 decision in game 4, a sloppier game that saw numerous misses by both players while the score was tied at 5. With the win, Puff II clinched the series at 3-1. In game 5, Panda pulled out to a nice lead, but Puff II remained pesky, tying the game and then pulling ahead on a three-ball run. One scratch by Panda later gave Puff II an 8-5 win for a 4-1 series win. Ranked #17 in Rotation, Puff II will host Oreo of the Swordpoint Blades at Boston's Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center.
Ebay Center, Queens: Kayla v. Dani. Two of Club Humanity's best go at it in Survival to close the evening out. Queens' Kayla struck first, holding on to make multiple shots with her back against the wall, which then gave her momentum that pushed Capital City's Dani to fall apart in the second rack, giving the Flames' Kayla a 1-0 lead. Kayla charged to a 2-0 lead, again managing to hold on in dire straits, only to see the Sharpshooters' Dani crumble in the same situation. Kayla did this all again in two racks in game 2, nearly copying game 1. In game 3, Dani oscillated between two and five lives over the course of the second and third racks before Kayla finally surrendered her final life, making it 2-1 in the series. Kayla took the series with a quick win in game 4, as Dani never got into a groove and lost her lives very quickly, giving Kayla a 3-1 series lead. Kayla won the series 4-1 in a throwaway game 5, in which Dani and Kayla put on a bit of a show but eventually Kayla cruised and Dani faded. Kayla, ranked #19 for Survival, will host Sierra of the TodavÃa Stills at this venue in the fourth round.
Just as promised, 70 games today. The shooting was a bit off, especially with the usually top-of-the-line blue cue and noticeably with the silver cue as well. Still, not much to dislike. Two more days this round, unless I somehow wrangle 90 games tomorrow, which is highly unlikely.
Summer Cricket League: Week 4 Part 2
With the Tournament winding down a bit quickly, fitting in all of the Showcase games is very important, so expect the next three "weeks" of SCL play to be less than a week each as we attempt to get to week 7 in time for the end of the tournament and the formation of such things as the draft and postseason rosters.
We begin with the Guatemala Conquistadors hosting the Seoul Crushers in their fourth straight home game. Natal Badillo began with 435 for Seoul. Frisco Romero managed just 129 for Guatemala. Gwandoya Makeba ripped 472 for the Crushers, adding onto their lead. Eustacio Zarraga answered with 445 for the Conquistadors. Leandro Gamboa tripped up at 192 for Seoul, leaving them slightly vulnerable. Kenzo Hashimoto failed to cash in, scoring only 168 for Guatemala. Max Jennings had only a meager 64 for the Crushers, again exposing them to the threat of being caught. Curtis Caldwell chipped back with 239 for the Conquistadors, pulling them a bit closer. Caldwell's understudy, Frank Schmidt, could not match his mentor, hitting 164 for the quickly-fading Seoul. Blue Lightning struck again, as Azul Mora lined 368 for Guatemala, making it a very close game with a player each to go. Zdenko Jansky slapped 264 to give the Crushers 1591 total. Adrien Laurent couldn't keep up, hitting 82 to give the Conquistadors a final of 1431 in the loss. Seoul gets its first win to go to 1-5 while Guatemala falls to 2-2.
In South Africa, the Johannesburg Lions welcome the Prague Checkmates. Pancho Barrios started with 168 for Prague. Johannesburg saw just 81 points from Wiebe Becker as he couldn't keep control of the ball. Lucila Zavala had to get acrobatic for the Checkmates, and still wound up at 248 after saving the game a couple of times. Normando Alonso belted 566 for the Lions, putting them in the lead with the muscular effort. Hyunjae Kwak finally showed up for a game, lining 605 for Prague to retake the lead. Ken Howard was stymied at 162 for Johannesburg, costing them a chance to respond well. Corentin Aerts produced only 138 for the Checkmates. Lucio Adame stumbled with a measly 20 points for the Lions. Darryl Estrada crushed 935 for Prague, cementing their lead. Oshri Aharonov couldn't muster a reply with a meager 36 for Johannesburg. Rayan Carranza chipped 90 points for the Checkmates, producing their final at 2184. Pieter Hendrickx made a furious rally late, hitting 751 to give the Lions a losing final at 1616. Prague is now 3-3 and perfect on the road, while Johannesburg continues to be a mixed bag at 4-4.
Up north, the Madrid Toros host the Toronto Mounties, who they will also visit tomorrow in Part 3. Cyril Hendrickx continued to struggle on the road, taking only 144 for Toronto. Spencer Howard put Madrid ahead in fine fashion, scoring 544. Curro Garza got stuffed at 122 for the Mounties in his homecoming to Spain. Pepillo Gamboa smacked 410 for the Toros, adding onto their strong lead. Axel Maes chipped back with 463 for Toronto, keeping them alive. Lennert Verheyen produced 78 points for Madrid, causing a bit of vulnerability. Tabor Laureano struggled again for the Mounties, scoring 96 to squander a good opportunity. Thabo Chahine hit 369 to guide the Toros out of trouble. Jax Puente had a sweet homecoming, as the Toronto star slugged 1255 to put them ahead as Jax returned to his hometown. Guillem Gamboa got a bit awestruck, hitting just 102 for Madrid. Antoine Hendrickx provided 199 for the Mounties, with their final resting at 2279. Martin Badillo scraped together 379, but it left the Toros at 1882 in the loss. Toronto improves to 6-1 while Madrid drops to 6-5, showing a clear delineation between elite and good.
Over in Manila, the Pacmen bring in the Brussels Chocolatiers for the second half of their week 4 doubleheader. Patrido Salazar struggled with 63 points for Brussels to open. Haejun Ki replied with 223 for Manila. Florent Claes supplied the Chocolatiers with 926, giving them a sizable lead. Porfirio Cazares continued to be an anchor on the neck of the Pacmen, hitting a measly 20. Dobromil Zeman poked 176 for Brussels. Sander Verheyen sliced 256 for Manila against his native country's team. Rodas Cazares pounded 530 for the Chocolatiers, extending their lead. Gerben Bovelt's hot start for the Pacmen appears to be over, as he had a weak 28 in this game after a bad showing in Brussels earlier in the week. Eric Zaragoza put up 64 for Brussels, doing little to help the cause. Manila saw a pathetic 12 from Dries Renard against his home country's team. Jaturun Choen blasted 535 for the Chocolatiers, and gave them 2294 total in their likely fourth straight road win. After 25 from Richard Miller, the Pacmen had an astonishingly low 564 in the brutal loss. Brussels is now 5-7 and cannot be counted out, while Manila has a few doubts around them at 4-3.
Finally, the Melbourne Renegades host a now road-weary Manila Pacmen in a battle for fourth place in the league. Manila got 769 from Haejun Ki, establishing a strong lead early, which could be beneficial in the long run of this game. The often erratic Charlie Thompson put up a weak 32 for Melbourne, digging a very early hole. Porfirio Cazares rolled in with 231 for the Pacmen. Theodore White pulled the Renegades back in the fight with 655. Sander Verheyen cracked out 438 for Manila, keeping them in a position of power. Sancho Ramos answered with 388 for Melbourne, making this a very offense-oriented game. Gerben Bovelt faltered with 51 for the Pacmen, leaving them extremely vulnerable. Rana Naqvi's 439 put the Renegades narrowly in front, shaping the game up for an awesome ending. Dries Renard struck 314 for Manila, passing the focus to the next player. Melbourne's Sikke Eichel passed it right back, crushing 600 to give the hosts a late lead of significance. Richard Miller hit 267, but the Pacmen finished at 2070, which gave them a loss. Stanley Watts iced the cake for the Renegades, with his 170 giving them 2284 in the win. Melbourne moves to 5-3 while dumping Manila to 4-4.
Pool to follow this afternoon and evening, with an expectation of 70 games to play.
We begin with the Guatemala Conquistadors hosting the Seoul Crushers in their fourth straight home game. Natal Badillo began with 435 for Seoul. Frisco Romero managed just 129 for Guatemala. Gwandoya Makeba ripped 472 for the Crushers, adding onto their lead. Eustacio Zarraga answered with 445 for the Conquistadors. Leandro Gamboa tripped up at 192 for Seoul, leaving them slightly vulnerable. Kenzo Hashimoto failed to cash in, scoring only 168 for Guatemala. Max Jennings had only a meager 64 for the Crushers, again exposing them to the threat of being caught. Curtis Caldwell chipped back with 239 for the Conquistadors, pulling them a bit closer. Caldwell's understudy, Frank Schmidt, could not match his mentor, hitting 164 for the quickly-fading Seoul. Blue Lightning struck again, as Azul Mora lined 368 for Guatemala, making it a very close game with a player each to go. Zdenko Jansky slapped 264 to give the Crushers 1591 total. Adrien Laurent couldn't keep up, hitting 82 to give the Conquistadors a final of 1431 in the loss. Seoul gets its first win to go to 1-5 while Guatemala falls to 2-2.
In South Africa, the Johannesburg Lions welcome the Prague Checkmates. Pancho Barrios started with 168 for Prague. Johannesburg saw just 81 points from Wiebe Becker as he couldn't keep control of the ball. Lucila Zavala had to get acrobatic for the Checkmates, and still wound up at 248 after saving the game a couple of times. Normando Alonso belted 566 for the Lions, putting them in the lead with the muscular effort. Hyunjae Kwak finally showed up for a game, lining 605 for Prague to retake the lead. Ken Howard was stymied at 162 for Johannesburg, costing them a chance to respond well. Corentin Aerts produced only 138 for the Checkmates. Lucio Adame stumbled with a measly 20 points for the Lions. Darryl Estrada crushed 935 for Prague, cementing their lead. Oshri Aharonov couldn't muster a reply with a meager 36 for Johannesburg. Rayan Carranza chipped 90 points for the Checkmates, producing their final at 2184. Pieter Hendrickx made a furious rally late, hitting 751 to give the Lions a losing final at 1616. Prague is now 3-3 and perfect on the road, while Johannesburg continues to be a mixed bag at 4-4.
Up north, the Madrid Toros host the Toronto Mounties, who they will also visit tomorrow in Part 3. Cyril Hendrickx continued to struggle on the road, taking only 144 for Toronto. Spencer Howard put Madrid ahead in fine fashion, scoring 544. Curro Garza got stuffed at 122 for the Mounties in his homecoming to Spain. Pepillo Gamboa smacked 410 for the Toros, adding onto their strong lead. Axel Maes chipped back with 463 for Toronto, keeping them alive. Lennert Verheyen produced 78 points for Madrid, causing a bit of vulnerability. Tabor Laureano struggled again for the Mounties, scoring 96 to squander a good opportunity. Thabo Chahine hit 369 to guide the Toros out of trouble. Jax Puente had a sweet homecoming, as the Toronto star slugged 1255 to put them ahead as Jax returned to his hometown. Guillem Gamboa got a bit awestruck, hitting just 102 for Madrid. Antoine Hendrickx provided 199 for the Mounties, with their final resting at 2279. Martin Badillo scraped together 379, but it left the Toros at 1882 in the loss. Toronto improves to 6-1 while Madrid drops to 6-5, showing a clear delineation between elite and good.
Over in Manila, the Pacmen bring in the Brussels Chocolatiers for the second half of their week 4 doubleheader. Patrido Salazar struggled with 63 points for Brussels to open. Haejun Ki replied with 223 for Manila. Florent Claes supplied the Chocolatiers with 926, giving them a sizable lead. Porfirio Cazares continued to be an anchor on the neck of the Pacmen, hitting a measly 20. Dobromil Zeman poked 176 for Brussels. Sander Verheyen sliced 256 for Manila against his native country's team. Rodas Cazares pounded 530 for the Chocolatiers, extending their lead. Gerben Bovelt's hot start for the Pacmen appears to be over, as he had a weak 28 in this game after a bad showing in Brussels earlier in the week. Eric Zaragoza put up 64 for Brussels, doing little to help the cause. Manila saw a pathetic 12 from Dries Renard against his home country's team. Jaturun Choen blasted 535 for the Chocolatiers, and gave them 2294 total in their likely fourth straight road win. After 25 from Richard Miller, the Pacmen had an astonishingly low 564 in the brutal loss. Brussels is now 5-7 and cannot be counted out, while Manila has a few doubts around them at 4-3.
Finally, the Melbourne Renegades host a now road-weary Manila Pacmen in a battle for fourth place in the league. Manila got 769 from Haejun Ki, establishing a strong lead early, which could be beneficial in the long run of this game. The often erratic Charlie Thompson put up a weak 32 for Melbourne, digging a very early hole. Porfirio Cazares rolled in with 231 for the Pacmen. Theodore White pulled the Renegades back in the fight with 655. Sander Verheyen cracked out 438 for Manila, keeping them in a position of power. Sancho Ramos answered with 388 for Melbourne, making this a very offense-oriented game. Gerben Bovelt faltered with 51 for the Pacmen, leaving them extremely vulnerable. Rana Naqvi's 439 put the Renegades narrowly in front, shaping the game up for an awesome ending. Dries Renard struck 314 for Manila, passing the focus to the next player. Melbourne's Sikke Eichel passed it right back, crushing 600 to give the hosts a late lead of significance. Richard Miller hit 267, but the Pacmen finished at 2070, which gave them a loss. Stanley Watts iced the cake for the Renegades, with his 170 giving them 2284 in the win. Melbourne moves to 5-3 while dumping Manila to 4-4.
Pool to follow this afternoon and evening, with an expectation of 70 games to play.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Pool: Round Three Day 7
Let's assume everything goes right, and that would mean a full day of pool today. We begin, not knowing what the future holds, with...
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Sprinkles v. B. Chapman. The first series of the day is the last one on the red half of the 7-ball bracket. Capital City's Sprinkles took a 1-0 series lead on a four-ball run-out in game 1, coming after a scratch by Victoria's Chapman. The Spurs' Chapman tied the series at 1 with a much more competitive game 2, taking the 7 after Sprinkles of the Sharpshooters couldn't take it from distance. Chapman made a highlight in game 3, cutting into a 1-6 combination at the bottom right that also saw the 1 carom away to the top right and glance the 5 before falling for the double-pot. Chapman also carried possession during the game, eventually winning it for the 2-1 series lead. Sprinkles answered to tie the series at 2 in game 4 with a five-ball run-out, ending on a bank that sent the 7 from the top rail to the bottom side at an odd angle, but it was good for the win. Chapman had an early three-ball run in game 5, but Sprinkles got in the way later on with a bit of defense, which eventually led her to a 3-2 series win after a modest two-ball run-out for the win. Ranked #19 in 7-ball, Sprinkles will travel to Nestle's Warriors Hall in Central to face the Warriors' Noelle in the fourth round.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Stealth v. Acorn. We have a doubleheader from this northeast town, beginning with a 12-ball series. Lighton's Acorn stunned the home crowd and Harrison's Stealth in game 1 with a six-ball run-out, making all of his shots in a row. It began with the 4 to the top side, then the 5 in the bottom side. Following that, the Prestige's Acorn handled the 7 in the top right, the 3 in the top left, the 2 in the bottom left, and finally, deployed a three-rail bank to the bottom right on the 6 to make it a 1-0 series with a virtuoso performance. Acorn overcame giving the Specters' Stealth a wild card ball in game 2, taking his successful shots in pairs over the course of four turns. Stealth was better in this game, but he couldn't keep up with the rapid pace Acorn had on display to go up 2-0. Stealth had a late three-ball run in game 3, but he couldn't extend it nor deploy a defensive technique, so the well-positioned Acorn tapped in the 7 to the bottom right for the clinching victory at 3-0 after having worked the table efficiently early in the game. Stealth got one back with a game 4 win, clustering Acorn's balls together while he sprayed five shots around the table, and then removing Acorn's defense before tapping in for the win to make it 3-1. Stealth made it 3-2 in game 5, using a three-ball run and solid positioning to salvage a more respectable final for the series. Ranked #72 in 12-ball, Acorn will travel in the fourth round to Viewpoint Sound, facing the Meteors' Stripes at Volkswagen Stadium Events Center. With the loss, Stealth is the thirty-second player to be eliminated, and the Harrison Specters "make no promises" when it comes to personnel. Stealth stuck with the team last season after a borderline performance, but they have no such obligations for next year. With the win, Acorn picked up his first kill of the season in a round that's seen it all for him.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Leandra v. Paige. After the last host was vanquished here, the next one looks to stake a claim in 15-ball to close the locational doubleheader. Queens' Paige was rewarded in game 1 for dominating possession early and late, as Harrison's Leandra couldn't do anything to prevent the Flames' Paige from taking a 1-0 lead. Paige went up 2-0 in the series after the end of game 2 turned into a scratch fest, none more poorly timed then the Specters' Leandra sinking the cue with the 14. Paige hit the highlight reel in game 3, deftly touching the cue off the bottom rail to cut the 6 into the bottom right at a sharp angle, with the cue caroming and getting just enough of the 8 to take it in the top right for a double-pot. This was part of a four-ball run to answer a five-ball run from Leandra. Paige ended up cruising in the last ten balls, sinking nine of them including the 15 to take the series at 3-0. Paige got tricky in game 4, ending it quick by caroming the cue off the 3 to push the 15 to the bottom left, which worked for a win that put her up 4-0 in the series. Paige ended game 5, appropriately enough, with a five-ball run-out, using a double-pot that involved a cut with spin on the 13 to the top left, with the spin taking the cue to hit the 14 to the bottom left and set up for the 15 in the bottom left, all of which worked perfectly. Paige, ranked #76 in 15-ball, swept the series 5-0 and will move along to Kraft Forum in Royal to visit the Crowns' Jake in the fourth round. With the loss, Leandra became the thirty-third player to be eliminated, and everything above that was said for Stealth applies to Leandra as well. The Specters are facing a very disappointing year, and changes may be on the way in droves. Paige collected her second kill of the season in dealing this knockout.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Gizmo v. Mr. Snowman. A little bit north, we have more 12-ball on the schedule. Despite giving Viewpoint Sound's Mr. Snowman a wild card ball off the break, Central's Gizmo cruised through a wonderful start, and his shot luck continued later on to help him earn a 1-0 series lead in a game 1 win. The Warriors' Gizmo overcame another challenge in game 2, dealing with a hot start from the Meteors' Mr. Snowman. Gizmo had all six balls on the table when Mr. Snowman missed contact on the 5, allowing Gizmo to establish defense. From there, Gizmo used two three-ball runs since his shots were mostly set up already, finishing by removing his defense as he took a 2-0 lead over the neutralized Mr. Snowman. Mr. Snowman got on the board with a game 3 win, putting Gizmo on his back foot from the start with a strong four-ball run, and then illegally contact the 11 to pot the 7 in the bottom right after an illegally potted ball was discovered. Gizmo did not make great usage of the ball-in-hand opportunities he had, which is why Mr. Snowman survived multiple fouls in the game to make it a 2-1 series. The finish was the hardest part in game 4, but Mr. Snowman only scratched once before completing his set, as opposed to the self-ruining two scratches Gizmo suffered while trying to get position on his last ball only to watch another one return to the table. Mr. Snowman took game 5 in a silly way. The standoff began as Gizmo and Mr. Snowman jockeyed at the bottom right, with Gizmo in the outside position. Gizmo, after clearing off all other balls, began to intentionally scratch, doing so four times, since Mr. Snowman had to shoot away from the target. On the fourth attempt, Mr. Snowman made contact, but didn't sink his 12, leaving Gizmo with a requirement to shoot the 5 he had continually potted and resurrected. Gizmo couldn't pot it again from distance, and he failed to put up sufficient defense, allowing Mr. Snowman to pull off a grazing shot off the bottom rail to win the game and take the series 3-2. Mr. Snowman is ranked #68 in 12-ball, and will try to avoid such dire trickery in the fourth round.
Intel Center, Diamond: Cassandra v. Valencia. To the southeast, there's a series of 8-ball. Diamond's Cassandra sandwiched four-ball runs around a five-ball run from Valencia of Golden, taking game 1 in quick fashion as both players appeared sharp in their shooting. Game 2 went a little less time efficiently, but Cassandra of the Gems again came out on top, holding off the Pilots' Valencia until she could bank the 8 off the top rail to the bottom side to move to 2-0 in the series. Cassandra freed her 12 off the 6, giving Valencia a free ball with the necessary move, and it ended up costing Cassandra in the end, as Valencia sank the 8 after both players chased it around for a couple shots. The series stands at 2-1 at this point. Cassandra shot right back in game 4, winning the game fairly easily as Valencia displayed almost no survivalist instinct in a very weak attack. Cassandra clinched the series at 3-1. In game 5, Valencia got off to a better start, but stagnated late in the game, allowing Cassandra to complete a three-ball run-out for a 4-1 series win. Cassandra is ranked #14 in 8-ball, and she will host Lionel of the Commerce Tradewinds at this venue in the fourth round.
HP Field Events Center, Eastside: Taylor Swift v. Dreamy. We stay in the region for a series of Survival. Game 1 lasted to a third rack, as Eastside's Taylor overcame a bit of a second rack fade to leave Swordpoint's Dreamy at a loss for shots, giving the Sharks' Taylor a 1-0 lead. Taylor took a 2-0 lead over the Blades' Dreamy after the latter's lackluster game 2 effort, falling apart entirely in one rack this time. Dreamy lasted a little longer in game 3, but Taylor was virtually automatic throughout, a pace that Dreamy couldn't match as evidenced by her final miss on the 10 just rattling out of the top right. Taylor clinched the series at 3-0 with that win. Taylor narrowly lost game 4 in the midst of a late rack swoon, while Dreamy held on just slightly, making it a 3-1 series in the process. Dreamy got another one in game 5 as Taylor's rope-a-dope method faltered when Dreamy got a luck shot in, causing Taylor to fold late in the single rack game. Taylor, ranked #96, will advance to the fourth round with a 3-2 series win.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Ms. Kitty v. Smudge. Another set of 12-ball is up on the coast. Infinity City's Smudge rallied from a deep deficit in game 1, as Pacific's Ms. Kitty blew her one good chance at getting set for victory, with the latter stages of the game being an absolute mess of jockeying for both players. The Torpedoes' Smudge leads 1-0. The Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty bounced back in game 2, getting into position on her last ball quicker in the tight game and executing the tap-in to tie the series at 1. Ms. Kitty needed only four turns with a three-ball run on the first to work her way into a 2-1 series lead, absolutely breezing around Smudge, who received a wild card ball after the wild break. Ms. Kitty again excelled in pace, execution, and positioning in game 4, winning with ease as Smudge again failed to keep up, and clinching the series at 3-1 in the process. Game 5 went pretty slowly, but Ms. Kitty eventually came out on top as Smudge failed to capitalize on having a wild card ball to work with. Ms. Kitty, ranked #60, advances to the fourth round on a 4-1 series win.
Lay's Field Events Center, Victoria: Spice v. Snowball. The night session begins with the silver cue subbing in for the blue cue in 9-ball down in the southwest. Swordpoint's Snowball began with a win in game 1, making an impressive kick with spin on the 7 to the bottom left to get set for the 9 in the top side, washing out Spice of Victoria's three-ball run around mid-game. The Spurs' Spice had better timing in game 2, using a three-ball run-out to tie the series at 1 instead of peaking too early as she did before. Spice dominated in possession in game 3, taking a 2-1 series lead on the Blades' Snowball with a three-ball run-out capped by an 8-9 combination to the bottom left. Spice capitalized on Snowball's inability to pot the 8 in game 4, sneaking the cue around the 9 to tap the 8 in before sending a responsible shot to pot the 9 and take the series at 3-1. Snowball got one back in game 5, using a 6-9 combination for the win to make it 3-2 for Spice. Ranked #53 in 9-ball, Spice is set to travel to Royal to face the Crowns' outgoing star Sydnee for a fourth round battle at Kraft Forum.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Dani v. Max. Returning to where we started today, we have Rotation to play, this time with the silver cue in for the red cue. Queens' Max got on the board with an 8-6 win in game 1, building a big lead and then striking at the end after Capital City's Dani tied it once. The Flames' Max didn't let her tie it again, taking a 1-0 series lead. Dani of the Sharpshooters made the final five balls over multiple turns, holding on very precariously to take an 8-7 win in game 2 and tie the series at 1 after Max couldn't finish the job. Max shot with high accuracy in game 3, making the final eight balls potted to win 8-2, finishing with a 9-11 combination to the top right for a 2-1 series lead. Max took the series at 3-1, coming from four balls down in game 4 to win 8-7 again for his clinching victory in a very impressive show of resilience in a series that had seen quite a few swings in momentum. Dani picked up an 8-6 victory in game 5, mitigating the damage for the series. Max won the series 3-2, and takes his improbable #123 ranked Rotation bid into the fourth round.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Snowball v. Slinks. Survival returns in this series, as does the red cue. Swordpoint's Snowball held her own well early on, but Harrison's Slinks was crafty and resilient, and her ability to get the cue snookered in the jaws of a pocket gave her a 1-0 lead over the course of the two-rack first game. The Blades' Snowball crumbled again in game 2, losing an early lead as the Specters' Slinks got all of her misses out of the way early and held on until the end for a 2-0 lead. Slinks slipped significantly more than usual in game 3, and it cost her when Snowball got a favorable set of balls to fall on the breakup shot in the second rack, putting her in a position of extreme strength that encouraged Slinks to try again next game as the series went to 2-1. The players shot very well in game 4, driving it to a third rack before Slinks lost her grip and her final three lives while Snowball avoided a late fade by maintaining her precise and accurate style. Slinks would have lost earlier, but every bounce within reasonable logic went her way to keep her going and keep the fans excited as the series became tied at 2. Snowball got off to a blistering hot start, and only faded in the second rack, but Slinks couldn't outlast the still strong Snowball, falling away midway through that second rack. Snowball won the series 3-2, and takes her #27 ranked Survival bid into the fourth round to host Chicky Phil of the Westside Rockers at this venue. With the loss, Slinks is the thirty-fourth player eliminated from the tournament, and in a cruel twist of fate for Harrison Specters fans, the third Specter to be eliminated today after previous eliminations of Stealth and Leandra. Snowball earned her first kill with the win.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Puff III v. Twinkie I. In this series from the northeast, there's 8-ball to be played from the two most common names in the league. Everton's Puff III had a good early run, and managed to leave the cue in bad spots for Lighton's Twinkie I, cruising to a 1-0 lead with good accuracy. The Eagles' Puff III got a bit lucky in game 2, as the Prestige's Twinkie I couldn't land a hit on the 8 when she needed to, surrendering ball-in-hand that saw Puff III sink the 8 and move to 2-0 in the series. Puff III clinched the series at 3-0 in game 3, continuing to just have a slight edge in pace and accuracy over Twinkie I that likely comes from her very solid breaking ability. Twinkie I got on the board in game 4, finishing off an impressive game with a well-positioned three-ball run-out. Puff III did get her fourth ball on her fourth and final break, but the rest of her suit was clustered together and she couldn't free them enough to get any momentum going. Twinkie I chipped closer in game 5, using a six-ball run that began as nutty and got down to just plain good until the last ball was potted by illegal contact. Puff III, with a bevy of targets to shoot at, couldn't get good, clean shots, and Twinkie I easily wrapped up two turns later to make it a 3-2 series. Ranked #38 in 8-ball, Puff III advances to the fourth round.
Ebay Center, Queens: Crystal v. Valencia. Down south a bit, there's 10-ball as the blue cue returns to action. Golden's Valencia asserted herself quickly in game 1, using a six-ball run-out fueled by positioning to top Queens' Crystal for a 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Crystal won a rollercoaster of a game 2, watching her illegal sink of the 6 give the Pilots' Valencia the ball, only for her to botch the 7-8 combination. Crystal later scratched, but Valencia worked herself out of position, and possession returned favorably for Crystal to take the 8 and 10 to win and tie the series at 1. Valencia paid dearly for illegal contact in game 3, as Crystal took the ball-in-hand and made a 4-10 bank combination from the top rail to the bottom left for a 2-1 series lead. Crystal never let Valencia see the table in game 4, scoring the 8 on the break and using the 1 to get set up for a 2-10 combination with the 2 banking off the bottom rail to tap the 10 into the top left, which worked after the 2 double-kissed the 10 to give Crystal a 3-1 lead. Valencia made Crystal pay for a mistake in game 5, taking ball-in-hand after Crystal's scratch and potting a 2-10 combination to the top left. Crystal still won the series 3-2, and her #100 ranked 10-ball bid will be on the road somewhere for the fourth round.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Stinky v. Princess. The leading MVP candidate is set to get a busy few days for herself going with this 12-ball set. Tysini's Princess continued her absurd run of dominance in the league, working with a wild card ball to take game 1. Freedom's Stinky surrendered the ball after the break, and this allowed the Hummingbirds' Princess to use the 1 in a defense/option role while she worked the rest of the balls into pockets, and eventually the 1 into the top side for a 1-0 lead. The Cascades's Stinky used a brilliant lure shot on Princess in game 2, putting the 11 in line with the top right but leaving her other shots to create a distance for the 11, which caused her to miss. With the play, the cue was left perfectly for Stinky to pot the 2 in the bottom right, tying the series at 1. Princess regained the series lead at 2-1 when Stinky's late wild card ball in game 3 made things all the easier for her with the other two shots she had left set up at the right corners. Princess got extremely lucky in game 4, as Stinky had a chance to win and decided to play it soft on the 3, except the cue never made contact, giving Princess ball-in-hand for a second straight turn, which allowed her to finish the game and secure the series at 3-1. Stinky twice dug out of defense laid by Princess after she gave up a wild card ball, and Princess didn't give an inch until the third attempt, which left the cue in line for the 1 to the top right for Stinky, giving him the win. The final was 3-2 for Princess, and she takes her #71 ranked 12-ball campaign to the fourth round.
Lay's Field Events Center, Victoria: B. Chapman v. Starlight. Continuing along, we have a 9-ball doubleheader late in the day. Pacific's Starlight had the run of play late in the game, and squandered it all away with a scratch, allowing Chapman of Victoria to take the 9 and a 1-0 series lead in game 1. The Spurs' Chapman got caroms off the 4, left rail, and 5 before the cue came in on a perfect cut line to sink the 9 in the bottom right, stunning Starlight of the Volcanoes as Chapman pulled to a 2-0 lead in the series. Chapman clinched the series in game 3, driving the course of play throughout and capitalizing on Starlight's scratch for the clincher. Starlight got on the board with a game 4 win, banking the 9 off the top rail at a bad angle to the bottom left to make it 3-1 in the series. Chapman finished the series with a 4-1 win, taking game 5 even though she didn't control much of the play. Chapman will take her #28 ranked 9-ball bid to the fourth round, where she hosts Shaggy of the Southridge Defenders at this venue.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Puff III v. Citrus. The other half of the 9-ball doubleheader sees the red cue sit for the silver cue up north. Citrus of Diamond dominated possession in game 1, which served her well as she took a 1-0 lead in the series with a win. Everton's Puff III tied the series in game 2 after the Gems' Citrus attempted a kick for a 7-9 combination that left the 9 right on the edge of the top left pocket, an easy tap-in for the equalizer for the Eagles' Puff III. Citrus dodged a 1-9 combination when she received ball-in-hand from a foul by Puff III, opting instead to shoot the 1 to the top right. Three shots later, she had a four-ball run-out when the 4-9 combination got lined up for her, and she converted for a 2-1 series lead. Puff III carried the flow of play in game 4, and she was helped greatly by a late scratch from Citrus, allowing her to make the final two balls to tie the series at 2 games apiece. Game 5 was perfectly even until Puff III cobbled a four-ball run-out, taking the game and winning the series 3-2. The #86 ranked Puff III will travel to Boston in the fourth round, facing the Swifts' Sweetheart at her home table in the Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Dusty v. Whiskers. The final series of the night is in Survival, with the blue cue sitting in favor of the silver cue. Infinity City's Whiskers got the best of a quickly-fading Dusty of Golden in game 1, offing her in a single rack to take a 1-0 series lead as she held steady after gaining the extra life. The Pilots' Dusty bounced back in a sloppy game 2, gaining the critical extra life that proved enough to stave off the Torpedoes' Whiskers to tie the series at 1. Dusty returned to a 2-1 series lead with a game 3 win, plucking the 8 on a 13-8 combination to the bottom side that essentially wiped out Whiskers' chance of bouncing back, especially when she missed her next shot to take a loss. Dusty took the series at 3-1, using a little crafty defense at the start of the second rack of game 4. It nearly backfired, as Whiskers' jam shot ended up clustering a large portion of the balls in two areas, but Dusty's lead was strong enough to hold until Whiskers fell. Whiskers took one back in Game 5, watching her six-life lead evaporate to only two, but it held as Dusty's furious comeback fell short. Dusty won the series 3-2, and she takes her #9 ranked Survival bid into the fourth round to host Panda of the Southern Monarchs.
That's 80 today. I plan on two days at 70 games a day, and then a light Thursday with 20. Also, the SCL will remain in mornings indefinitely after today went without a hitch in pool. Expect part 2 of week 4 tomorrow morning around the usual time.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Sprinkles v. B. Chapman. The first series of the day is the last one on the red half of the 7-ball bracket. Capital City's Sprinkles took a 1-0 series lead on a four-ball run-out in game 1, coming after a scratch by Victoria's Chapman. The Spurs' Chapman tied the series at 1 with a much more competitive game 2, taking the 7 after Sprinkles of the Sharpshooters couldn't take it from distance. Chapman made a highlight in game 3, cutting into a 1-6 combination at the bottom right that also saw the 1 carom away to the top right and glance the 5 before falling for the double-pot. Chapman also carried possession during the game, eventually winning it for the 2-1 series lead. Sprinkles answered to tie the series at 2 in game 4 with a five-ball run-out, ending on a bank that sent the 7 from the top rail to the bottom side at an odd angle, but it was good for the win. Chapman had an early three-ball run in game 5, but Sprinkles got in the way later on with a bit of defense, which eventually led her to a 3-2 series win after a modest two-ball run-out for the win. Ranked #19 in 7-ball, Sprinkles will travel to Nestle's Warriors Hall in Central to face the Warriors' Noelle in the fourth round.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Stealth v. Acorn. We have a doubleheader from this northeast town, beginning with a 12-ball series. Lighton's Acorn stunned the home crowd and Harrison's Stealth in game 1 with a six-ball run-out, making all of his shots in a row. It began with the 4 to the top side, then the 5 in the bottom side. Following that, the Prestige's Acorn handled the 7 in the top right, the 3 in the top left, the 2 in the bottom left, and finally, deployed a three-rail bank to the bottom right on the 6 to make it a 1-0 series with a virtuoso performance. Acorn overcame giving the Specters' Stealth a wild card ball in game 2, taking his successful shots in pairs over the course of four turns. Stealth was better in this game, but he couldn't keep up with the rapid pace Acorn had on display to go up 2-0. Stealth had a late three-ball run in game 3, but he couldn't extend it nor deploy a defensive technique, so the well-positioned Acorn tapped in the 7 to the bottom right for the clinching victory at 3-0 after having worked the table efficiently early in the game. Stealth got one back with a game 4 win, clustering Acorn's balls together while he sprayed five shots around the table, and then removing Acorn's defense before tapping in for the win to make it 3-1. Stealth made it 3-2 in game 5, using a three-ball run and solid positioning to salvage a more respectable final for the series. Ranked #72 in 12-ball, Acorn will travel in the fourth round to Viewpoint Sound, facing the Meteors' Stripes at Volkswagen Stadium Events Center. With the loss, Stealth is the thirty-second player to be eliminated, and the Harrison Specters "make no promises" when it comes to personnel. Stealth stuck with the team last season after a borderline performance, but they have no such obligations for next year. With the win, Acorn picked up his first kill of the season in a round that's seen it all for him.
Mercedes-Benz Forum, Harrison: Leandra v. Paige. After the last host was vanquished here, the next one looks to stake a claim in 15-ball to close the locational doubleheader. Queens' Paige was rewarded in game 1 for dominating possession early and late, as Harrison's Leandra couldn't do anything to prevent the Flames' Paige from taking a 1-0 lead. Paige went up 2-0 in the series after the end of game 2 turned into a scratch fest, none more poorly timed then the Specters' Leandra sinking the cue with the 14. Paige hit the highlight reel in game 3, deftly touching the cue off the bottom rail to cut the 6 into the bottom right at a sharp angle, with the cue caroming and getting just enough of the 8 to take it in the top right for a double-pot. This was part of a four-ball run to answer a five-ball run from Leandra. Paige ended up cruising in the last ten balls, sinking nine of them including the 15 to take the series at 3-0. Paige got tricky in game 4, ending it quick by caroming the cue off the 3 to push the 15 to the bottom left, which worked for a win that put her up 4-0 in the series. Paige ended game 5, appropriately enough, with a five-ball run-out, using a double-pot that involved a cut with spin on the 13 to the top left, with the spin taking the cue to hit the 14 to the bottom left and set up for the 15 in the bottom left, all of which worked perfectly. Paige, ranked #76 in 15-ball, swept the series 5-0 and will move along to Kraft Forum in Royal to visit the Crowns' Jake in the fourth round. With the loss, Leandra became the thirty-third player to be eliminated, and everything above that was said for Stealth applies to Leandra as well. The Specters are facing a very disappointing year, and changes may be on the way in droves. Paige collected her second kill of the season in dealing this knockout.
Nestle's Warriors Hall, Central: Gizmo v. Mr. Snowman. A little bit north, we have more 12-ball on the schedule. Despite giving Viewpoint Sound's Mr. Snowman a wild card ball off the break, Central's Gizmo cruised through a wonderful start, and his shot luck continued later on to help him earn a 1-0 series lead in a game 1 win. The Warriors' Gizmo overcame another challenge in game 2, dealing with a hot start from the Meteors' Mr. Snowman. Gizmo had all six balls on the table when Mr. Snowman missed contact on the 5, allowing Gizmo to establish defense. From there, Gizmo used two three-ball runs since his shots were mostly set up already, finishing by removing his defense as he took a 2-0 lead over the neutralized Mr. Snowman. Mr. Snowman got on the board with a game 3 win, putting Gizmo on his back foot from the start with a strong four-ball run, and then illegally contact the 11 to pot the 7 in the bottom right after an illegally potted ball was discovered. Gizmo did not make great usage of the ball-in-hand opportunities he had, which is why Mr. Snowman survived multiple fouls in the game to make it a 2-1 series. The finish was the hardest part in game 4, but Mr. Snowman only scratched once before completing his set, as opposed to the self-ruining two scratches Gizmo suffered while trying to get position on his last ball only to watch another one return to the table. Mr. Snowman took game 5 in a silly way. The standoff began as Gizmo and Mr. Snowman jockeyed at the bottom right, with Gizmo in the outside position. Gizmo, after clearing off all other balls, began to intentionally scratch, doing so four times, since Mr. Snowman had to shoot away from the target. On the fourth attempt, Mr. Snowman made contact, but didn't sink his 12, leaving Gizmo with a requirement to shoot the 5 he had continually potted and resurrected. Gizmo couldn't pot it again from distance, and he failed to put up sufficient defense, allowing Mr. Snowman to pull off a grazing shot off the bottom rail to win the game and take the series 3-2. Mr. Snowman is ranked #68 in 12-ball, and will try to avoid such dire trickery in the fourth round.
Intel Center, Diamond: Cassandra v. Valencia. To the southeast, there's a series of 8-ball. Diamond's Cassandra sandwiched four-ball runs around a five-ball run from Valencia of Golden, taking game 1 in quick fashion as both players appeared sharp in their shooting. Game 2 went a little less time efficiently, but Cassandra of the Gems again came out on top, holding off the Pilots' Valencia until she could bank the 8 off the top rail to the bottom side to move to 2-0 in the series. Cassandra freed her 12 off the 6, giving Valencia a free ball with the necessary move, and it ended up costing Cassandra in the end, as Valencia sank the 8 after both players chased it around for a couple shots. The series stands at 2-1 at this point. Cassandra shot right back in game 4, winning the game fairly easily as Valencia displayed almost no survivalist instinct in a very weak attack. Cassandra clinched the series at 3-1. In game 5, Valencia got off to a better start, but stagnated late in the game, allowing Cassandra to complete a three-ball run-out for a 4-1 series win. Cassandra is ranked #14 in 8-ball, and she will host Lionel of the Commerce Tradewinds at this venue in the fourth round.
HP Field Events Center, Eastside: Taylor Swift v. Dreamy. We stay in the region for a series of Survival. Game 1 lasted to a third rack, as Eastside's Taylor overcame a bit of a second rack fade to leave Swordpoint's Dreamy at a loss for shots, giving the Sharks' Taylor a 1-0 lead. Taylor took a 2-0 lead over the Blades' Dreamy after the latter's lackluster game 2 effort, falling apart entirely in one rack this time. Dreamy lasted a little longer in game 3, but Taylor was virtually automatic throughout, a pace that Dreamy couldn't match as evidenced by her final miss on the 10 just rattling out of the top right. Taylor clinched the series at 3-0 with that win. Taylor narrowly lost game 4 in the midst of a late rack swoon, while Dreamy held on just slightly, making it a 3-1 series in the process. Dreamy got another one in game 5 as Taylor's rope-a-dope method faltered when Dreamy got a luck shot in, causing Taylor to fold late in the single rack game. Taylor, ranked #96, will advance to the fourth round with a 3-2 series win.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Ms. Kitty v. Smudge. Another set of 12-ball is up on the coast. Infinity City's Smudge rallied from a deep deficit in game 1, as Pacific's Ms. Kitty blew her one good chance at getting set for victory, with the latter stages of the game being an absolute mess of jockeying for both players. The Torpedoes' Smudge leads 1-0. The Volcanoes' Ms. Kitty bounced back in game 2, getting into position on her last ball quicker in the tight game and executing the tap-in to tie the series at 1. Ms. Kitty needed only four turns with a three-ball run on the first to work her way into a 2-1 series lead, absolutely breezing around Smudge, who received a wild card ball after the wild break. Ms. Kitty again excelled in pace, execution, and positioning in game 4, winning with ease as Smudge again failed to keep up, and clinching the series at 3-1 in the process. Game 5 went pretty slowly, but Ms. Kitty eventually came out on top as Smudge failed to capitalize on having a wild card ball to work with. Ms. Kitty, ranked #60, advances to the fourth round on a 4-1 series win.
Lay's Field Events Center, Victoria: Spice v. Snowball. The night session begins with the silver cue subbing in for the blue cue in 9-ball down in the southwest. Swordpoint's Snowball began with a win in game 1, making an impressive kick with spin on the 7 to the bottom left to get set for the 9 in the top side, washing out Spice of Victoria's three-ball run around mid-game. The Spurs' Spice had better timing in game 2, using a three-ball run-out to tie the series at 1 instead of peaking too early as she did before. Spice dominated in possession in game 3, taking a 2-1 series lead on the Blades' Snowball with a three-ball run-out capped by an 8-9 combination to the bottom left. Spice capitalized on Snowball's inability to pot the 8 in game 4, sneaking the cue around the 9 to tap the 8 in before sending a responsible shot to pot the 9 and take the series at 3-1. Snowball got one back in game 5, using a 6-9 combination for the win to make it 3-2 for Spice. Ranked #53 in 9-ball, Spice is set to travel to Royal to face the Crowns' outgoing star Sydnee for a fourth round battle at Kraft Forum.
Capital City SuperCenter, Capital City: Dani v. Max. Returning to where we started today, we have Rotation to play, this time with the silver cue in for the red cue. Queens' Max got on the board with an 8-6 win in game 1, building a big lead and then striking at the end after Capital City's Dani tied it once. The Flames' Max didn't let her tie it again, taking a 1-0 series lead. Dani of the Sharpshooters made the final five balls over multiple turns, holding on very precariously to take an 8-7 win in game 2 and tie the series at 1 after Max couldn't finish the job. Max shot with high accuracy in game 3, making the final eight balls potted to win 8-2, finishing with a 9-11 combination to the top right for a 2-1 series lead. Max took the series at 3-1, coming from four balls down in game 4 to win 8-7 again for his clinching victory in a very impressive show of resilience in a series that had seen quite a few swings in momentum. Dani picked up an 8-6 victory in game 5, mitigating the damage for the series. Max won the series 3-2, and takes his improbable #123 ranked Rotation bid into the fourth round.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Snowball v. Slinks. Survival returns in this series, as does the red cue. Swordpoint's Snowball held her own well early on, but Harrison's Slinks was crafty and resilient, and her ability to get the cue snookered in the jaws of a pocket gave her a 1-0 lead over the course of the two-rack first game. The Blades' Snowball crumbled again in game 2, losing an early lead as the Specters' Slinks got all of her misses out of the way early and held on until the end for a 2-0 lead. Slinks slipped significantly more than usual in game 3, and it cost her when Snowball got a favorable set of balls to fall on the breakup shot in the second rack, putting her in a position of extreme strength that encouraged Slinks to try again next game as the series went to 2-1. The players shot very well in game 4, driving it to a third rack before Slinks lost her grip and her final three lives while Snowball avoided a late fade by maintaining her precise and accurate style. Slinks would have lost earlier, but every bounce within reasonable logic went her way to keep her going and keep the fans excited as the series became tied at 2. Snowball got off to a blistering hot start, and only faded in the second rack, but Slinks couldn't outlast the still strong Snowball, falling away midway through that second rack. Snowball won the series 3-2, and takes her #27 ranked Survival bid into the fourth round to host Chicky Phil of the Westside Rockers at this venue. With the loss, Slinks is the thirty-fourth player eliminated from the tournament, and in a cruel twist of fate for Harrison Specters fans, the third Specter to be eliminated today after previous eliminations of Stealth and Leandra. Snowball earned her first kill with the win.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Puff III v. Twinkie I. In this series from the northeast, there's 8-ball to be played from the two most common names in the league. Everton's Puff III had a good early run, and managed to leave the cue in bad spots for Lighton's Twinkie I, cruising to a 1-0 lead with good accuracy. The Eagles' Puff III got a bit lucky in game 2, as the Prestige's Twinkie I couldn't land a hit on the 8 when she needed to, surrendering ball-in-hand that saw Puff III sink the 8 and move to 2-0 in the series. Puff III clinched the series at 3-0 in game 3, continuing to just have a slight edge in pace and accuracy over Twinkie I that likely comes from her very solid breaking ability. Twinkie I got on the board in game 4, finishing off an impressive game with a well-positioned three-ball run-out. Puff III did get her fourth ball on her fourth and final break, but the rest of her suit was clustered together and she couldn't free them enough to get any momentum going. Twinkie I chipped closer in game 5, using a six-ball run that began as nutty and got down to just plain good until the last ball was potted by illegal contact. Puff III, with a bevy of targets to shoot at, couldn't get good, clean shots, and Twinkie I easily wrapped up two turns later to make it a 3-2 series. Ranked #38 in 8-ball, Puff III advances to the fourth round.
Ebay Center, Queens: Crystal v. Valencia. Down south a bit, there's 10-ball as the blue cue returns to action. Golden's Valencia asserted herself quickly in game 1, using a six-ball run-out fueled by positioning to top Queens' Crystal for a 1-0 series lead. The Flames' Crystal won a rollercoaster of a game 2, watching her illegal sink of the 6 give the Pilots' Valencia the ball, only for her to botch the 7-8 combination. Crystal later scratched, but Valencia worked herself out of position, and possession returned favorably for Crystal to take the 8 and 10 to win and tie the series at 1. Valencia paid dearly for illegal contact in game 3, as Crystal took the ball-in-hand and made a 4-10 bank combination from the top rail to the bottom left for a 2-1 series lead. Crystal never let Valencia see the table in game 4, scoring the 8 on the break and using the 1 to get set up for a 2-10 combination with the 2 banking off the bottom rail to tap the 10 into the top left, which worked after the 2 double-kissed the 10 to give Crystal a 3-1 lead. Valencia made Crystal pay for a mistake in game 5, taking ball-in-hand after Crystal's scratch and potting a 2-10 combination to the top left. Crystal still won the series 3-2, and her #100 ranked 10-ball bid will be on the road somewhere for the fourth round.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Stinky v. Princess. The leading MVP candidate is set to get a busy few days for herself going with this 12-ball set. Tysini's Princess continued her absurd run of dominance in the league, working with a wild card ball to take game 1. Freedom's Stinky surrendered the ball after the break, and this allowed the Hummingbirds' Princess to use the 1 in a defense/option role while she worked the rest of the balls into pockets, and eventually the 1 into the top side for a 1-0 lead. The Cascades's Stinky used a brilliant lure shot on Princess in game 2, putting the 11 in line with the top right but leaving her other shots to create a distance for the 11, which caused her to miss. With the play, the cue was left perfectly for Stinky to pot the 2 in the bottom right, tying the series at 1. Princess regained the series lead at 2-1 when Stinky's late wild card ball in game 3 made things all the easier for her with the other two shots she had left set up at the right corners. Princess got extremely lucky in game 4, as Stinky had a chance to win and decided to play it soft on the 3, except the cue never made contact, giving Princess ball-in-hand for a second straight turn, which allowed her to finish the game and secure the series at 3-1. Stinky twice dug out of defense laid by Princess after she gave up a wild card ball, and Princess didn't give an inch until the third attempt, which left the cue in line for the 1 to the top right for Stinky, giving him the win. The final was 3-2 for Princess, and she takes her #71 ranked 12-ball campaign to the fourth round.
Lay's Field Events Center, Victoria: B. Chapman v. Starlight. Continuing along, we have a 9-ball doubleheader late in the day. Pacific's Starlight had the run of play late in the game, and squandered it all away with a scratch, allowing Chapman of Victoria to take the 9 and a 1-0 series lead in game 1. The Spurs' Chapman got caroms off the 4, left rail, and 5 before the cue came in on a perfect cut line to sink the 9 in the bottom right, stunning Starlight of the Volcanoes as Chapman pulled to a 2-0 lead in the series. Chapman clinched the series in game 3, driving the course of play throughout and capitalizing on Starlight's scratch for the clincher. Starlight got on the board with a game 4 win, banking the 9 off the top rail at a bad angle to the bottom left to make it 3-1 in the series. Chapman finished the series with a 4-1 win, taking game 5 even though she didn't control much of the play. Chapman will take her #28 ranked 9-ball bid to the fourth round, where she hosts Shaggy of the Southridge Defenders at this venue.
Chevrolet Center, Everton: Puff III v. Citrus. The other half of the 9-ball doubleheader sees the red cue sit for the silver cue up north. Citrus of Diamond dominated possession in game 1, which served her well as she took a 1-0 lead in the series with a win. Everton's Puff III tied the series in game 2 after the Gems' Citrus attempted a kick for a 7-9 combination that left the 9 right on the edge of the top left pocket, an easy tap-in for the equalizer for the Eagles' Puff III. Citrus dodged a 1-9 combination when she received ball-in-hand from a foul by Puff III, opting instead to shoot the 1 to the top right. Three shots later, she had a four-ball run-out when the 4-9 combination got lined up for her, and she converted for a 2-1 series lead. Puff III carried the flow of play in game 4, and she was helped greatly by a late scratch from Citrus, allowing her to make the final two balls to tie the series at 2 games apiece. Game 5 was perfectly even until Puff III cobbled a four-ball run-out, taking the game and winning the series 3-2. The #86 ranked Puff III will travel to Boston in the fourth round, facing the Swifts' Sweetheart at her home table in the Coca-Cola Field Exhibition Center.
Amazon Field Exhibition Hall, Golden: Dusty v. Whiskers. The final series of the night is in Survival, with the blue cue sitting in favor of the silver cue. Infinity City's Whiskers got the best of a quickly-fading Dusty of Golden in game 1, offing her in a single rack to take a 1-0 series lead as she held steady after gaining the extra life. The Pilots' Dusty bounced back in a sloppy game 2, gaining the critical extra life that proved enough to stave off the Torpedoes' Whiskers to tie the series at 1. Dusty returned to a 2-1 series lead with a game 3 win, plucking the 8 on a 13-8 combination to the bottom side that essentially wiped out Whiskers' chance of bouncing back, especially when she missed her next shot to take a loss. Dusty took the series at 3-1, using a little crafty defense at the start of the second rack of game 4. It nearly backfired, as Whiskers' jam shot ended up clustering a large portion of the balls in two areas, but Dusty's lead was strong enough to hold until Whiskers fell. Whiskers took one back in Game 5, watching her six-life lead evaporate to only two, but it held as Dusty's furious comeback fell short. Dusty won the series 3-2, and she takes her #9 ranked Survival bid into the fourth round to host Panda of the Southern Monarchs.
That's 80 today. I plan on two days at 70 games a day, and then a light Thursday with 20. Also, the SCL will remain in mornings indefinitely after today went without a hitch in pool. Expect part 2 of week 4 tomorrow morning around the usual time.
Summer Cricket League: Week 4 Part 1
At risk of ruining a good day of pool, here's five games of cricket to get the fourth week going. We begin as always with...
The American Rebels hosting the Madrid Toros. Spencer Howard began with 261 for Madrid. Axel Cools grabbed 66 for American, leaving them a bit behind. Pepillo Gamboa replied with 313 for the Toros, adding onto their lead significantly. Louvel Lefevre cancelled him out with 324 for the Rebels. Lennert Verheyen chipped 311 for Madrid, as the scores appear to stabilize. Sander Lambert faltered with 78 for American, causing their deficit to grow. Thabo Chahine failed to help the Toros much, putting up just 177. Irsyad Sudjana made Chahine pay for a lacklsuter effort, as he ripped 548 for the Rebels to pull them back in the game. Guillem Gamboa put a bandage on for Madrid, poking 208 to give them a modest lead. Sabino Chacon couldn't find a groove, ending up with 105 for American. Martin Badillo hit 169 for the Toros, giving them a final of 1439. Cisco Solorio did just enough to give the Rebels a win, as his 319 put them at a final of 1440 for a one-point win. American moves to 5-0 with the thriller win, while Madrid's heartbreaker of a loss takes them down to 6-4.
Along to the Amsterdam Hotstove welcoming their regional rivals, the Brussels Chocolatiers, whom they defeated earlier in the season for their most recent win. Patrido Salazar dropped 1847 for Brussels, outscoring the entire team's effort from their last meeting. Jerry Burke got stuffed at 51 for Amsterdam, severely hurting the team's comeback attempt. Florent Claes tacked on 345 for the Chocolatiers. Yaozu Miao continued to be the bright spot for the Hotstove, scoring 502 in his turn. Dobromil Zeman supplied 339 for Brussels. Amsterdam proved relentless, as Carlos Barajas belted 1016 to pull them a lot closer at the midway point of the game. Rodas Cazares smacked 425 for the Chocolatiers. Veto Casas stumbled with 177 for the Hotstove, reducing the potency of their attack. Eric Zaragoza had only 149 for Brussels. Andrew Reynolds grabbed 280 for Amsterdam. Jaturun Choen hit 569 to ice the Chocolatiers' big game at 3674. Manolito Avalos had just 64 points for the Hotstove, as they lost with 2090. Brussels is now 3-6 while Amsterdam drops behind them at 2-6.
Next up, the Bangkok Sixes host the Amsterdam Hotstove. Jerry Burke's misadventures continued in this game, as he managed a measly 36 again for a weak start for Amsterdam. Firdoze Uns cracked out 249 for Bangkok. Yaozu Miao slipped in with 225 for the Hotstove, keeping the game relatively close for now. Gilbert Berry slugged 777 for the Sixes, giving them a big lead. Carlos Barajas couldn't match his last effort, putting up 160 for Amsterdam as they appear to have reverted to struggling. Aleix Nieto chipped in with 230 for Bangkok, keeping their lead strong. Veto Casas got turned around on his turn, ending a strong effort early at 280 when his timing got thrown off for the Hotstove. Zuri Okafor grabbed 233 for the Sixes, as they remain ahead. Amsterdam watched the game get farther away as Andrew Reynolds hit a subdued 152. Rodas Nunez cranked out 690 for Bangkok, likely putting the game into safety. Manolito Avalos slapped 554 for the Hotstove, giving them a more respectable but insufficient 1407 as their final. Luis Godinez batted 449 for the Sixes, giving them a final of 2628 in another impressive win. Bangkok goes to 6-1 while Amsterdam falls to 2-7.
Back in Europe, the Brussels Chocolatiers bring in the Manila Pacmen (whom they'll also visit later this week). Haejun Ki posted 335 for Manila to begin the game. Patrido Salazar swung and missed in his turn, ending with 215 for Brussels. Porfirio Cazares cobbled together 328 for the Pacmen. Florent Claes had only 180 for the Chocolatiers. Sander Verheyen left Manila a bit vulnerable, as he spoiled his homecoming by having just 48 points. Dobromil Zeman failed to cash in for Brussels, ending with 99 to chip ever so slightly at the deficit. Gerben Bovelt had only 162 for the Pacmen as the scores appear to have stagnated in the middle of the game. Rodas Cazares pulled back with 232 for the Chocolatiers, keeping them in striking distance. Dries Renard also had a rough homecoming, as he gave a measly 64 to Manila. Eric Zaragoza grabbed 197 for Brussels as points continued to be at a premium. Richard Miller stumbled to 75 for the Pacmen, producing a 1012 final for them. Jaturun Choen only had 80 for the Chocolatiers, leaving them 1003 in the narrow, nine-point loss. Manila got lucky with the win to move to 4-2 while Brussels fell to 3-7 in a rough season.
Finally, the Caracas Hitmen host the Brussels Chocolatiers, who are playing their third game in the last four league games and could face fatigue against one of the few teams below them in the standings. Patrido Salazar definitely confirmed fatigue, posting only 81 for Brussels. Vitaya Grichson, in true Caracas form, hit only 36 to leave his team still behind. Florent Claes ripped 519 for the Chocolatiers, giving them a potentially serviceable lead. The Hitmen saw a measly 20 points from Barasa Contee, as the locals begin to stir for a riot. Dobromil Zeman added 387 for Brussels. Noppadon Gruemor pulled back with 304 for Caracas. Rodas Cazares sliced 392 for the Chocolatiers, extending their lead further. Trevor Watson had a respectable 314 for the Hitmen. Eric Zaragoza tapped 376 for Brussels, continuing to keep a balanced pace to the attack. Maynard Cabagnot put up 289 for Caracas in another lost game. Jaturun Choen redeemed himself after last game, scoring 328 to give the Chocolatiers a final of 2083. Bojing Luo had only 69 points for the Hitmen, leaving them at 1059. Brussels gets up to 4-7 while Caracas is 0-7 and have very little hope for anything.
More tomorrow, in the morning if today's pool goes well and in the evening if it doesn't.
The American Rebels hosting the Madrid Toros. Spencer Howard began with 261 for Madrid. Axel Cools grabbed 66 for American, leaving them a bit behind. Pepillo Gamboa replied with 313 for the Toros, adding onto their lead significantly. Louvel Lefevre cancelled him out with 324 for the Rebels. Lennert Verheyen chipped 311 for Madrid, as the scores appear to stabilize. Sander Lambert faltered with 78 for American, causing their deficit to grow. Thabo Chahine failed to help the Toros much, putting up just 177. Irsyad Sudjana made Chahine pay for a lacklsuter effort, as he ripped 548 for the Rebels to pull them back in the game. Guillem Gamboa put a bandage on for Madrid, poking 208 to give them a modest lead. Sabino Chacon couldn't find a groove, ending up with 105 for American. Martin Badillo hit 169 for the Toros, giving them a final of 1439. Cisco Solorio did just enough to give the Rebels a win, as his 319 put them at a final of 1440 for a one-point win. American moves to 5-0 with the thriller win, while Madrid's heartbreaker of a loss takes them down to 6-4.
Along to the Amsterdam Hotstove welcoming their regional rivals, the Brussels Chocolatiers, whom they defeated earlier in the season for their most recent win. Patrido Salazar dropped 1847 for Brussels, outscoring the entire team's effort from their last meeting. Jerry Burke got stuffed at 51 for Amsterdam, severely hurting the team's comeback attempt. Florent Claes tacked on 345 for the Chocolatiers. Yaozu Miao continued to be the bright spot for the Hotstove, scoring 502 in his turn. Dobromil Zeman supplied 339 for Brussels. Amsterdam proved relentless, as Carlos Barajas belted 1016 to pull them a lot closer at the midway point of the game. Rodas Cazares smacked 425 for the Chocolatiers. Veto Casas stumbled with 177 for the Hotstove, reducing the potency of their attack. Eric Zaragoza had only 149 for Brussels. Andrew Reynolds grabbed 280 for Amsterdam. Jaturun Choen hit 569 to ice the Chocolatiers' big game at 3674. Manolito Avalos had just 64 points for the Hotstove, as they lost with 2090. Brussels is now 3-6 while Amsterdam drops behind them at 2-6.
Next up, the Bangkok Sixes host the Amsterdam Hotstove. Jerry Burke's misadventures continued in this game, as he managed a measly 36 again for a weak start for Amsterdam. Firdoze Uns cracked out 249 for Bangkok. Yaozu Miao slipped in with 225 for the Hotstove, keeping the game relatively close for now. Gilbert Berry slugged 777 for the Sixes, giving them a big lead. Carlos Barajas couldn't match his last effort, putting up 160 for Amsterdam as they appear to have reverted to struggling. Aleix Nieto chipped in with 230 for Bangkok, keeping their lead strong. Veto Casas got turned around on his turn, ending a strong effort early at 280 when his timing got thrown off for the Hotstove. Zuri Okafor grabbed 233 for the Sixes, as they remain ahead. Amsterdam watched the game get farther away as Andrew Reynolds hit a subdued 152. Rodas Nunez cranked out 690 for Bangkok, likely putting the game into safety. Manolito Avalos slapped 554 for the Hotstove, giving them a more respectable but insufficient 1407 as their final. Luis Godinez batted 449 for the Sixes, giving them a final of 2628 in another impressive win. Bangkok goes to 6-1 while Amsterdam falls to 2-7.
Back in Europe, the Brussels Chocolatiers bring in the Manila Pacmen (whom they'll also visit later this week). Haejun Ki posted 335 for Manila to begin the game. Patrido Salazar swung and missed in his turn, ending with 215 for Brussels. Porfirio Cazares cobbled together 328 for the Pacmen. Florent Claes had only 180 for the Chocolatiers. Sander Verheyen left Manila a bit vulnerable, as he spoiled his homecoming by having just 48 points. Dobromil Zeman failed to cash in for Brussels, ending with 99 to chip ever so slightly at the deficit. Gerben Bovelt had only 162 for the Pacmen as the scores appear to have stagnated in the middle of the game. Rodas Cazares pulled back with 232 for the Chocolatiers, keeping them in striking distance. Dries Renard also had a rough homecoming, as he gave a measly 64 to Manila. Eric Zaragoza grabbed 197 for Brussels as points continued to be at a premium. Richard Miller stumbled to 75 for the Pacmen, producing a 1012 final for them. Jaturun Choen only had 80 for the Chocolatiers, leaving them 1003 in the narrow, nine-point loss. Manila got lucky with the win to move to 4-2 while Brussels fell to 3-7 in a rough season.
Finally, the Caracas Hitmen host the Brussels Chocolatiers, who are playing their third game in the last four league games and could face fatigue against one of the few teams below them in the standings. Patrido Salazar definitely confirmed fatigue, posting only 81 for Brussels. Vitaya Grichson, in true Caracas form, hit only 36 to leave his team still behind. Florent Claes ripped 519 for the Chocolatiers, giving them a potentially serviceable lead. The Hitmen saw a measly 20 points from Barasa Contee, as the locals begin to stir for a riot. Dobromil Zeman added 387 for Brussels. Noppadon Gruemor pulled back with 304 for Caracas. Rodas Cazares sliced 392 for the Chocolatiers, extending their lead further. Trevor Watson had a respectable 314 for the Hitmen. Eric Zaragoza tapped 376 for Brussels, continuing to keep a balanced pace to the attack. Maynard Cabagnot put up 289 for Caracas in another lost game. Jaturun Choen redeemed himself after last game, scoring 328 to give the Chocolatiers a final of 2083. Bojing Luo had only 69 points for the Hitmen, leaving them at 1059. Brussels gets up to 4-7 while Caracas is 0-7 and have very little hope for anything.
More tomorrow, in the morning if today's pool goes well and in the evening if it doesn't.
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