UE, NU on track for B-League quarters

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the East and National University edged their respective weekend rivals to stay in the hunt for the quarterfinals slot in the National Collegiate Billiards League, also known as B-League, at the Star Paper Billiards Center.

The Warriors pair of Anthony Caubalejo and Marlo Navarro nipped the Rocky Alcazar and Danrisse Inductivo tandem of Far Eastern University, 5-4, in 8-ball doubles while teammate Jan Michael Castillo outpocketed Alcazar, 7-5, after Caubalejo vowed to Inductivo for UE’s 2-1 victory in the event organized by Perry Mariano of Bugsy Promotions and Reli de Leon of Accel.

The Recto pool sharks scored their second win via forfeiture over University of Makati and completed their three-game sweep with another 2-1 edge over league’s contender Mapua Institute of Technology.

Bulldog’s Ron Elbert Licup and Reynold dela Fuente defeated Lyceum’s Enrico Lat and Rennel Dugos, 5-3, in 8-ball doubles followed by Licup’s shelllacking of Pirates’ Robbie Sogueco, 7-4, in 9-ball even as Lyceum’s Dugos blanked NU’s Roger John Cullanay, 7-0, for a 2-1 win.

The league is backed by Accel, H2O Hotel, Manila Ocean Park, STAR Publications, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Negros Billiards Stable, Malungai Life Oil, Niknok Pritson Manok, Hermes Sports Bar, Human Plus, Star Billiards Center, Brunswick, Bugsy Promotions and Mediacom.

The Quiapo-based Bulldogs completed their sweep over Adamson Falcon’s Arvee Cabrera, Kingford Llavit in doubles and singles, 2-1, followed by a 3-0 blasting of University of Santo Tomas Tigers Cedric Gonzales, Conrad Cruz and Gerthee Estrella.

Another contender, Philippine Maritime Institute, posted victories over UST, 3-0, and University of Manila, 2-1, and a 3-0 forfeiture win over San Sebastian to narrow the gap behind pacesetting St. Clares College.

In the Junior Division, new Bugsy protegee RJ Bautista of St. Mary’s defeated Claret’s Hans Pablo, 7-3, in 9-ball followed by James Benson and Bautista’s doubles blanking of Kyle Torrente and Pablo pair, 5-0, for a 2-1 edge.

High school league leaders Xavier’s Biondi Te, Ryan Te and Al Ramos Yeo posted a 2-1 victory over Ateneo while junior contender La Salle Greenhills’ Hadley Mariano, Pao Darrosa and Karlo Marcilla swept PCC’s Jerome Pascual/Arnel Blanza and 9-10 ball bets Daniel Cruz and Obie de Guzman.

B-League tournament director is Verna Mariano. Meanwhile B-League’s registration, policies, rules and regulation in the upcoming National Collegiate Open Tournament will be announced next month.