Biggest dartsfest to open today

CEBU, Philippines - The biggest and richest darts tournament so far in the Queen City of the South gets underway today with over 200 top-caliber players from all over the country vying for supremacy in the 1st M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala National Darts Open at the Yayoy’s Grill and Resto Bar along Orchid Street in Brgy. Capitol Site, this city.

Before the games proper, a simple opening ceremony will take place at 5 pm to be graced by Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña, vice mayor Michael L. Rama and councilor Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba.

Bert Colong, Jr., president of the organizing Cebu City Hall Employees Darts Association (CHEDA), said that although they prepared hard for the three-day tilt, Cebu’s bets still braces for a tough grind ahead against the top-ranked players from Manila.

Colong made mention of a few prominent darters to watch out for in the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC)-spearheaded event in the likes of RP No.1 player Boy Parpan, Lawrence Ilagan and Ian Perez of Manila and Jojo Barellano of Davao.

Aside from host Cebu, Manila and Davao, players from Makati, San Carlos City, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Tanjay, Dipolog, Basilan, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro and Sindangan are also coming in, with hopes of gobbling up a slice of the whopping P200,000 bounty.

Sanctioned by the National Darts Federation of the Philippines, the contest features six categories - draw doubles, 4-person team Lhuillier Cup, draw triples, youth singles, seniors singles and open singles.

Colong said they will be fielding in three teams namely the Cebu City Niños A and B and the all-CHEDA squad.

The Niños A is composed of Wennie Ocañada, Steve Montenegro, Angelito Badayos, and Rayden Colina, while the Team B is manned by Jonathan Rubi, Jomar Amerol, Boy Campugan and Junnez Perez.

CHEDA, on the other hand, is powered by father-and-son tandem of Bert and Mohammad Colong, Jr. together with Jomar Yap and Jun Bacalso, Jr.

Meanwhile, the organizers are reminding all the participants that they will strictly impose the proper playing attire. Caps, sandos, slippers, sandals, collarless shirts and shorts are not allowed.    (FREEMAN NEWS)