MANILA, Philippines - All is set for the inaugural National Collegiate Billiards League, with organizers dangling an international stint for the winning team and other standouts in the tourney starting on Nov. 20 at the Manila Ocean Park in Manila.
During the recent presentation of the competing teams at the Hermes Sports Bar on West Ave., NCBL president Reli de Leon told participants the winning squad in the collegiate division will earn the right to represent the country in the Asian Collegiate Billiards League next year, with a second team composed of standouts from other teams also to be tapped for the same international event.
Aside from this, the winning teams in the seniors and juniors divisions of the tourney, simply known as the B-League, will also receive billiards tables, cue sticks and other fabulous prizes from sponsors, among them the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and GSM Blue.
“We have already produced two Hall of Famers and with this tourney we are confident we can produce more world beaters,” said De Leon, referring to Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante. “So I challenge you to do your best. Winning this tournament could be the first step in your quest for world titles.”
At least 18 collegiate teams, led by La Salle and Ateneo, along with eight high school squads, are set to vie for bragging rights as the inaugural champions of the trailblazing tourney.
Also competing in the tourney are University of the East, Far Eastern University, University of Sto. Tomas, Adamson University, AMA University, Xavier University, National University, Philippine Maritime Institute, Lyceum, Centro Escolar University, Mapua, Jose Rizal University, Don Bosco, University of Manila, New Era University, Fatima and Letran.
Also backing the tourney are Accel, Star Billiards, Manila Ocean Park, The Philippine Star, along with Malungai Life Oil, Mediacom, Bugsy Promotions, Human Plus Probiotics, Niknok Pritson Manok, Negros Billiards Stable, Puyat Sports, business Hermie Esguerra, Brunswick and Star Paper of BSCP president Sebastian Chua.
De Leon said the tourney intends to “repackage the image of the sport in the country” and give young and talented students a chance to showcase their skills on the felt table.
The tournament, organized by De Leon and billiards patron Perry Mariano of Bugsy Promotions, will run up to March 13, 2011, with the opening games to be held at the Manila Ocean Park and succeeding elimination matches at the Star Billiards in Quezon City.