Bañares top pick in ‘Sharks’ player draft

MANILA, Philippines — The stage is set for the Sharks Billiards Association inaugural tourney following the dispersal of the competing players via the historic draft recently at the Quantum Skyview in Gateway Mall 2 in Cubao, Quezon City.

Jericho Bañares, runner-up to Ko Pin-yi of Chinese-Taipei in the 2008 World Junior Pool Championship in Reno, Nevada, emerged the top draft selection by the Quezon City Dragons.

“I felt very honored to be included in the team,” said Bañares, now set to banner the QC team in the first professional billiards league in the country.

The Dragons team will also feature Alexis Ferrer, Denmark Castronuevo, John Paul Ladao and John Rebong.

Also selected in the first round were Rodrigo Geronimo (Taguig Stallions), Oliver Villafuerte (Negros Pillars) and Baseth Mapandi (Manila MSW Mavericks).

The SBA First Conference is set on September at the Sharks Billiard Hall along Tomas Morato in Quezon City.

“The SBA aims to give millions of Filipino billiards enthusiasts the opportunity to hone and showcase their skills, and promote the love of the game – ensuring integrity and fairness for professional billiards in the Philippines,” said SBA chief executive officer and founder Hadley Mariano.

Also to strut their stuff in the tourney are Demosthenes Pulpul, Bryant Saguiped, Marc Ejay Cunanan and Michael Quinay for the Taguig Stallions; Albert Espinola, Jonald Galve, Jolo Aspuria and Mark Ryan Hidalgo for the Negros Pillars, and Jonas Magpantay, John Albert Refulle, Drahcir Mauricio and Tristan Deocareza for the Manila MSW Mavericks.

Efren “Bata” Reyes and other prominent players Django Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Jeffrey de Luna, Nikoy Lining and Warren Kiamco attended the event with GAB chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera Jr. and billiards godfather Ceferino “Perry” Mariano.