FOUR Thomasian cue artists surfaced as the early favorites in the first National Collegiate Billiards League (NCBL) or B-League, walking over the De La Salle University with a clean 3-0 sweep last November 20 at the Manila Ocean Park.
Bannering UST was the black-and-gold quartet of team captain Aaron Cedric Gonzales, John Michael Hipolito and Conrad Roy Cruz Jr. from the Faculty of Engineering, and Gerthee Estrella from the College of Commerce.
They faced a tough opposition in 19 other schools such as Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, Lyceum University of the Philippines, San Sebastian College-Recolletos, and the Philippine Maritime Institute.
Estrella carved the first win for UST over De La Salle’s Chester Labez, 7-1, in the 9-ball event.
The gritty Estrella collected rack after rack but La Salle’s Labez managed to mark the Thomasian’s near-spotless record after an Estrella misfire in the sixth rack, enabling Labez to clinch his first and only score, 5-1.
Gonzales followed suit as he pounced on Carlwin Ong, 7-3, in the 10-ball event.
Ong had also earned his points due to erratic shots, but Gonzales’ sleek and versatile hits enabled him to subdue the Taft -based player in the last four racks.
Cruz and Hipolito capped the final victory for UST with a sweet 5-0 sweep against De La Salle’s Earl Velasco and Lance Barlaan in the eight-ball scotch doubles match.
Avenue for greatness
NCBL president Reli de Leon said the new league was a way to promote billiards as a national sport. “This is a sport where we can excel since we have the strongest chance in winning internationally,” he said.
In the future, organizers hope that the NCBL could produce more international champions such as Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, and Dennis Orcullo.
“Our champions are already old and sooner or later, they will retire,” De Leon said. “In three to five years, there might not be any players left who can compete in international tournaments.”
De Leon hopes that the NCBL would be a catalyst in entrance of billiards in the famous collegiate leagues.
“We have to open our minds to other sports,” De Leon said. “I hope the UAAP and NCAA will recognize the sport. Angelo Nonato P. Cabrera and Robin G. Padilla
