Defending champions of World Cup of Pool the USA, scraped into the last 16 of this year's competition.
The American pairing of Shane Van Boening and Rodney Morris, who 12 months ago held the trophy aloft in Rotterdam, Holland, edged their way into the last 16 with a thrilling 8-7 victory over Malta.
This was the match of day one at the SM Mall North Annex in Manila, Philippines, where a large crowd watched six first round matches.
Local fans ended the day happy as Filipino legend Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante cruised past an out-classed Qatar 8-1.
There were also wins for France, China, Spain and Australia with a further six matches to be played today.
The PartyCasino.net World Cup of Pool features 32 two-player teams from 31 different nations, each vying to win one of the most prestigious pool events of the year.
All the action was broadcast live in the Philippines on Solar Sports and the Malta v USA match entertained the crowd in the arena and the viewers at home.
These two nations met at the 2007 World Cup and just like then, the Americans squeezed through by a single rack as the Maltese pairing of Tony Drago and Alex Borg fought every step of the way and even found themselves breaking for the match.
However, it was Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening who clinched victory as Borg's dry break allowed them to run out for the win.
There was nothing to separate them at 4-4 as experienced pool player Drago coached his less seasoned team-mate through some trickier moments.
A break and run in the next followed by a fluked carom on the 9 saw the USA move into a 6-4 lead and when a missed bank shot in the next by Drago left the table on for the Americans, they moved comfortably to the hill.
Some sloppy play from USA gave chances to Malta and they steamed through the next two to go 6-7 and when they took the next there was excitement in the arena as a massive upset looked on the cards.
It was not to be though as a dry break sealed Maltese fate in a thrilling encounter. America now face Indonesia in the last 16.
"We're just pleased to have won," said Morris. "I was in the team two years ago so I know what Tony and Alex can do. Hopefully things can get easier for us."