Tams, Tigers loom NCBL underdogs

MANILA, Philippines - While La Salle and Ateneo are expected to hog the limelight in the inaugural National Collegiate Billiards League, Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas are going all out to create an impact in the event kicking off Nov. 20 at the Manila Ocean Park in Manila.

Leading the Tigers’ bid in the tourney is Cedrick Gonzales, the youngest in the team at 16, who started playing at 11 and who will be teaming up with Joven Lim, Kenneth Acosta, Michael Hipolito and Conrad Cruz.

Among his idols are world champions Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Ronnie Alcano. Through the B-League, he intends to follow in their footsteps.

“I also dream of becoming a world champion like them,” said Gonzales. “Win or lose, I’ll give it my best shot.”

Mark Jhon Lacey, 20, at the forefront of FEU’s bid in the tourney backed by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and GSM Blue, said the event fills the need of collegiate students for a league of their own, saying: “It’s been my dream to play in this kind of tournament so I can show my talent and skills.”

He is teaming up with Danrisse Inductivo, Ferdie Tobias, Andrei Ruiz and Kenidy Ignacio and is confident he has what it takes.

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.

Organized by sportsman Reli De Leon and billiards patron Perry Mariano of Bugsy Promotions, the event 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.