LSGH top B-League elims

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle Greenhills young pool bets surged ahead after the final eliminations of the National Collegiate Billiards League (B-League) at the Star Paper Billiards Center, Grace Village in Quezon City recently.

The Junior Archers, headed by Hadley Mariano, Pao Daroca and Mario Marcilla, broke away from triple tie with St. Mary’s of Quezon City and Claret School as they swept Paco Catholic College, 3-0, in 8-ball doubles, 9-ball and 10-ball singles to grab the solo lead with 20 points.

St. Mary’s tandem of RJ Bautista and River Cadiz edged Claret’s Kyle Torrente and Pablo, 5-4, in 8-ball doubles while Bautista, newest member of Bugsy’s, demolished Torrente in 9-ball but teammate James Benzon failed to sustain the momentum for a sweep, bowing to Pablo, 4-7, for the elimination record of 19 points for St. Mary’s going to the final four of the league organized by Perry Mariano of Bugsy Promotions and Reli de Leon.

Despite Claret’s skid, it still advanced to the semis with 17 points.

Another semifinalist Xavier suffered an upset as it lost to unheralded Ateneo, 1-2. Xavier’s Biondi Te avoided a sweep by trouncing Eaglet Ricky Chavez, 7-1, in 10-ball as the team grabbed the last ticket to the last four of the collegiate league 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, Mediacom, San Miguel Corp. and GSM Blue.

According to B-League tournament director Verna Mariano, the next phase both in semis and junior division resumes on March 26 at the Star Paper Billiards Center to be covered by TV5 in primetime slot.