A THOMASIAN cue artist held his own against some of the best billiards players in the country, finishing eighth in the Skechers 10-ball Cup at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City last June 15 and 16.
At 17, Rodlin John “RJ” Bautista was the youngest player in the tournament that gathered 63 amateur and professional cue artists. He finished with four wins and one loss.
“It was a big thing for me because my opponents were already professional players and I was the youngest who joined the tournament. I learned a lesson from my loss,” said Bautista, who is a member of the UST billiards team.
Bautista, the Most Valuable Player of the second National Collegiate Billiards’ League, scored successive victories against Cheska Monteno (9-6), Horis Angor (9-3), and Batangas City’s Henrick Doguiles (9-7) in the eliminations to enter the Top 16.
He later subdued 2011 Philippine Pool Open standout Renemar David, 11-10, to join the quarterfinals. Also in the Top 8 were 2011 Southeast Asian Games 8-ball champion and former World No.1 Dennis Orcollo, and 2006 Asian Games silver medalist Jeffrey De Luna, who eventually won the crown.
Bautista’s inexperience caught up with him when he bowed down to former World 10-ball Championship delegate Dodong Didal, 9-11.
“[Didal] had a wider experience and played for so long. I’ll just practice more and gain additional experiences (in other competitions),” Bautista, who pocketed P10,000 in the tournament, said.
Bautista is expected to compete in China and Vietnam this year under Bugsy Promotions, home of top cue artists such as Orcollo.
