It was, according to our records here at AZBilliards, a month shy of a year ago, that Eddie Crespo won his first Tri-State Tour stop at Clifton Billiards in Clifton, NJ. On Halloween night, at the same location, Crespo chalked up his second, going undefeated to capture the $1,000-added event title that drew 17 entrants.
Victories over Dave Ascolese, and John Wu set Crespo up for a winners' side semifinal match against Harry Guevarez, as Bob Toomey faced Frankie Scanlon. Crespo and Toomey survived double hill matches to face each other in the hot seat match, won, in a third hot seat match, by Crespo.
Guevarez moved over to face Luis Jimenez, who'd defeated Tony Ignomirello 7-4 and Ralph Ramos, Sr. 7-3. Scanlon drew Andrew Butler, who'd eliminated Ascolese 7-1 and Ralph Ramos, Jr. 8-4.
Guevarez came out on the winning end of his second straight double hill match, defeating Jimenez. Butler, in the meantime, defeated Scanlon 6-3. Butler took the quarterfinal match versus Guevarez 7-4, but then had his loss-side run stopped by Toomey, double hill, in the semifinals.
With a handicap, Toomey started the re-match finals ahead by three, a lead that Crespo quickly eliminated with four racks. Toomey responded with one of his own to tie the match at 4-4. Crespo responded with three, Toomey won a second game, and Crespo closed it out at 8-5 to claim the event title.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff at Clifton Billiards for their hospitality, as well as sponsors Ozone Billiards, Sterling-Gaming, Kamui Tips, Ron Vitello, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, Human Kinetics , and Bloodworth Ball Cleaners. The next Tri-State Tour event, scheduled for November 8, will be hosted by BQE Billiards in Jackson Heights (Queens), NY.
