Jose de Sousa has continued
Michael van Gerwen's title drought for another day after claiming the honours on Day Two of PDC
Super Series 4.
It was a
Players Championship classic between the pair with 'The Special One' coming up clutch when it mattered in a game not short of needle and quality darts.
It is a sixth ranking title and a second of the year for the Portuguese ace who will have a top 10 debut beckoning next week, while Van Gerwen has two days to win a title or his wait will go on until July.
Van Gerwen took the first leg but missed three at double in the second which allowed De Sousa back for a 120 checkout for 1-1 but Van Gerwen aimed to derail De Sousa's charge with a 95 checkout using two double 19's.
MVG led from there with a break after De Sousa seemingly miscounted and he pounced with a 68 checkout to make it 3-2.
A 130 left double 16 and De Sousa couldn't get a shot at 121 but MVG missed double four for a hold and De Sousa replied to level up again with a roar of his own after the Dutchman showed his frustration.
The impetus was well with De Sousa as he pinned double eight for a 5-3 lead and a break. He missed double 16 for a 112 and Van Gerwen sparked into life with a break back with a 170 checkout.
A timely 180 saw De Sousa first to a finish on Van Gerwen's throw in 88 but missed double 14 for the shot. MVG though couldn't even muster a treble off the 141 but returned after De Sousa missed three at double seven.
Van Gerwen went two double 18's from 90 and was punished on double two by De Sousa to break once more at 6-4 up.
He consolidated that with 90 the only way he could go in Bull, D20 to go one away at 7-4. Van Gerwen survived with a 100 checkout with De Sousa waiting on 60 for the title.
It all came down to De Sousa's throw and he missed three match darts at double 14 again and Van Gerwen smashed in a 112 to break and make it 7-6.
A 108 checkout saw De Sousa snatch a potential decider away from Van Gerwen with MVG sat on double 12 to send it all the way.
PDC Super Series 4 (Day Two) - Players Championship 14 Selected Results
Last 16
Joe Cullen (97.5) 6 | 4 (87.0) Scott Mitchell
Mervyn King (91.3) 0 | 6 (95.9) Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen (100.2) 6 | 3 (101.6) Chris Dobey
Ted Evetts (97.9) 6 | 5 (96.3) Ross Smith
José de Sousa (90.7) 6 | 5 (93.0) Rob Cross
Dimitri Van den Bergh (116.9) 6 | 1 (88.1) Darren Webster
Luke Woodhouse (89.0) 2 | 6 (96.2) Gabriel Clemens
Josh Payne (91.2) 1 | 6 (95.5) Ritchie Edhouse
Quarter-Finals
Gary Anderson (106.0) 6 | 4 (100.0) Joe Cullen
Michael van Gerwen (97.2) 6 | 4 (96.3) Ted Evetts
José de Sousa (105.5) 6 | 1 (95.0) Dimitri Van den Bergh
Gabriel Clemens (97.1) 6 | 4 (95.3) Ritchie Edhouse
Semi-Finals
Gary Anderson (88.6) 2 | 7 (106.2) Michael van Gerwen
José de Sousa (100.7) 7 | 5 (94.0) Gabriel Clemens
Final
Michael van Gerwen (94.9) 6 | 8 (100.5) Jose de Sousa