Ed Crespo, Scott Abramowitz and Rick Shellhouse
Scott Abramowitz had to deal with Rick Shellhouse twice, once on the winners' side of the bracket and later, in the semifinals, just for the chance to appear in his first Tri-State final. He took full advantage of the opportunity when it presented itself, winning three on the loss side and defeating Ed Crespo in the finals to win his first Tri-State Tour stop on Sunday, January 19. The $750-added event drew 25 entrants to Clifton Billiards in Clifton, NJ.
Following victories over Thomas Schuler, Ada Lio and a shutout versus John Greslik, Abramowitz moved among the winners' side final four, where he met up with Shellhouse for the first time. Crespo, in the meantime, squared off against Jamiyl Adams in the other winners' side semifinal. Shellhouse sent Abramowitz to the loss side 6-3, and in the hot seat match, faced Crespo, who'd defeated Adams 7-6. Crespo got into the hot seat 8-7 over Shellhouse.
Abramowitz began his loss-side trip to the finals against Mike Strassberg, who'd defeated Jan Mierzwa and Greslik, both 6-3. Adams met up with Vincent Morris, who'd gotten by Paul Everton 7-4 and Louis Petronico 7-3. It was Abramowitz and Morris advancing to the quarterfinals; Abramowitz, 6-3 over Strassberg and Morris, 7-5 over Adams.
Abramowitz survived a double hill match against Morris to earn himself a re-match against Shellhouse in the semifinals. He exacted his revenge, defeating Shellhouse 6-2, and turned to face Crespo in the hot seat. Abramowitz took a quick 3-0 lead, and after allowing Crespo a single game, won three more to make it 6-1. Crespo chalked up two in a row, before Abramowitz came back with one, to make it 7-3. Crespo took rack # 11, before Abramowitz chalked up two in a row to claim the event title.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff at Clifton Billiards, as well as sponsors Sterling-Gaming, Ozone Billiards, Qpod, Heptig Cues, Kamui Tips, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, and Human Kinetics. The next stop on the Tri-State Tour, to be hosted by House of Billiards on Staten Island, NY, is scheduled for Saturday, January 26.
