Young cue champ whips foe in PNG

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  – Delfin Tugado, the men’s 9-ball event silver medalist in the 2011 edition of the POC-PSC National Games, demolished local bet Durim Abrasaldo, 9-2, yesterday to kick off his medal bid in billiards at the Dumaguete Convention Center here.

Left as the highest-seeded player from the national pool in the absence of last year’s winner Jeff De Luna and top guns like Efren “Bata” Reyes and Dennis Orcollo, the 24-year-old Tugado had little trouble hurdling his opening round assignment in the KO format tourney.

While action in the main hub is just about to heat up, fencing over at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig entered its final stretch with University of the East picking up its fourth gold medal overall.

The UE fencers topped the women’s team foil, adding to the triumphs of Cristine Almas and Rolando Canlas (individual epee), and Justine Gail Tinio (women’s individual foil).

Fencing Club Manila, bannered by lone 2011 SEAG fencing champ Walbert Mendoza, ruled the men’s team sabre for its third plum after Mendoza’s romp in the individual sabre and epee events. Far Eastern topped the men’s team epee for its first gold.

“Swerte lang, nagkataong maganda ang tinira (I was just lucky that my shotmaking was good today),” said Tugado, who will next face Ronald Bacolod, who drew a first-round bye.

The pride of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental was quick to shrug off the tag of favorite. “May silatan dito at marami ring magagaling na players from Dumaguete (Upsets can happen considering the number of good players here).”

Also moving to the second round were Luis Sobardo, who whipped Allan Culi Jr., 9-0; Edison Heresilles of Zamboanga, who clubbed Joel Dy, 9-5; Randy Tabares, who dumped Cris Lee Amposta, 9-6; Francisco Tropezado, who edged Kiefer Dy, 9-4; Julifer Alos, who beat Noel Caro, 9-5; Mario del Rosario, who defeated Nickson Tesado, 9-1; and Donard Eram, who trounced Daniel Dave, 9-6.

In the distaff side, Denise Santos scuttled youthful 2011 semifinalist Cheska Cendeno, 7-3, while national mainstay Flor Andal played true to form in drubbing Ann Del Mar, 7-2.

Santos, 15, pounced on 12-year-old Cendeno’s miss at the 9-ball in the seventh rack to break a 3-3 standoff, then swept the succeeding three frames to clinch the win over her fellow Phl developmental pool member in the double-elimination meet.

Over at the Silliman U, fancied Phl Blu Girls came at it with full strength even if they’re only playing as guests in the softball hostilities of the sportsfest organized by POC and PSC.

The reigning SEAG titlists pounded Cebu City, 10-0, behind 11 hits led by the hot batting of Dione Macasu (two-for-two, four RBIs), and the steady pitching of Mary Joy Lasquete (no-hitter, three strikeouts in two innings) and Veronica Villeza (one hitter, four SOs).

The Blu Girls picked up another easy win later when Negros Occidental chose to concede the match in the first inning.

Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines executive director Jun Veloso explained that the Blu Girls and Blu Boys are here just to provide inspiration and challenge to the participants.

“We want to give equal chances to all LGUs (local government units) who spent money to bring a complete team here.”

Tacurong City and SIT-Cebu jumpstarted their title bid in grand fashion, whipping Negros Oriental (13-3) and Gihulingan (15-0), respectively.

In baseball over at the Sto. Niño field in Marikina, ILLAM (Big League) boosted its semifinal bid with a 12-2 upset of Titans in a five-inning Group A match.

The ILLAM batters, who peppered Titans with 10 hits in the abbreviated contest, secured their third victory in five outings, half a game behind No. 2 Philab Los Baños (3-1). The National Team is safe on top at 4-0, their place in the Last 4 already secured.