St. Mary's blanks Paco, shares junior pool lead

MANILA, Philippines - Bugsy protégé and young pool sensation RJ Bautista displayed his vastly improved pocketing and pool techniques to lead St. Mary’s of Quezon City in sweeping Paco Catholic School, 3-0, to gain a share of lead in the junior division of National Collegiate Billiards League also known as B-League at the Star Paper Billiards Center in Quezon City over the weekend.

The 16-year-old Bautista, the latest discovery of billiards patron Perry Mariano of Bugsy Promotions, teamed up with James Benzon as they blanked the PCS pair of Daniel Cruz and Obie de Guzman, 5-0, in the 8-ball doubles.

After teammate River Cadiz subdued Jerome Pascual, 7-2, in 9-ball singles, Bautista demolished Cruz, 7-2, as St. Mary’s tied Claret, who scored a similar 3-0 sweep against Ateneo.

St. Mary’s and Claret are 14 points ahead of Hadley Mariano led La Salle Greenhills and Biondi Te’s team Xavier.

St. Mary’s, Claret, LSG and Xavier are assured of the semis berths in the league organized by Mariano and Reli de Leon and backed by Accel, H2O Hotel, Manila Ocean Park, Star Publications, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Negros Billiards Stable, Malungai Life Oil, Niknok Pritson Manok and Hermes Sports Bar.