Claret blanks Ateneo in Junior B-League

MANILA, Philippines - Claret School blanked Ateneo High School, 3-0, to seize solo second in the juniors’ division of the National Collegiate Billiards League at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City over the weekend.

After dropping a 1-2 setback to Pasig Catholic College two weeks ago, the Quezon-City based squad drew big wins from Hans Pablo, Neil Porciuncula and the duo of Rex Macaranas and Kyle Torente to improve the team’s total to four points, just a point behind Xavier in the tournament backed by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Accel and Negros Billiards Stable.

Pablo whipped Bu Uytiepo, 7-0, in their 9-ball duel, Porciuncula outclassed Ren Pinlac, 7-1, in 10-ball while Macaranas and Torente completed the shutout win with a 5-3 victory over Uytiepo and Pinlac in 8-ball doubles.

St. Mary’s upset Pasig Catholic College, 2-1, in the other juniors’ match of the tournament backed by H2O Hotel, Manila Ocean Park, Malungai Life Oil, Niknok Pritson Manok, Hermes Sports Bar, Human Plus Probiotics, Star Billiards Center, Brunswick, The Philippine STAR, Bugsy Promotions and Mediacom.

Rodlin John Bautista gave St. Mary’s a 1-0 lead with a 7-1 win over Obie de Guzman in 10-ball play and teamed up with James Benzon to humble the PCC pair of Arrel Blanza and Daniel Cruz, 5-0, in 8-ball doubles. Jerome Pascual averted a shutout loss for PCC by outlasting Baste Montoya, 7-6, in 9-ball play.

St. Mary’s moved up to solo fifth in the six-team field with two points, a point behind PCC and idle La Salle-Greenhills.

Action in the seniors and juniors divisions of the tourney, also known as the B-League, takes a break for the holidays and resumes Jan. 9 next year.