First Round WPBL Playoffs: Cruise Upset The Hustlers

In the third match of the World Professional Billiard League’s 2013-2014 Playoffs the Houston Hustlers took on the Miami Cruise at the WPBL Arena in Las Vegas February 7, 2014.
 
A difficult cut shot by Jose Parica clinched the match for the Cruise, who upset the Hustlers 7-4 in Friday’s first round of the WPBL Championship Playoff tournament. Miami only needed to avoid a shut-out in the match's final game of 3 on 3, which happened when Parica sank a one point purple ball giving #10 seed Miami the win.
 
Miami had a chance to clinch the match a game earlier in singles, however Hunter Lombardo couldn't finish off Justin Hall in a shoot-out that Hall won 31-18, putting Houston within 7-4. The loss was the only one for Miami in singles, as Jose Parica and Corey Deuel knocked off Chip Compton and Jeremy Jones 30-9 and 30-10 respectively.
 
Houston's only regulation win came in doubles, when Compton and Hall defeated Parica and Lombardo 30-21 to tie the match at 3-3 at intermission.
 
Miami's win makes it three straight lower seeds to pull off a first round upset after #12 Atlanta and #11 Pittsburgh were victorious in the first two matches of the $120,000 single-elimination tournament.
 
The Cruise will face #4 seed Minnesota Outlaws Tuesday at 6:30pm PST in the second round, while Saturday's match features the Philadelphia Aces vs. Las Vegas Dice, also at 6:30.
 
To purchase the WPBL All Star Charity Billiards Challenge or the entire Championship Package, please visit www.WPBLtv.com. Follow the WPBL as the playoffs continue, additional announcements and updates will be made frequently. For a complete listing of broadcast matches, standings, merchandise and more visit the WPBL website.