MANILA, Philippines - A sensational young pool player of the National Collegiate Billiards League (B-League) is now a member of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions owned by sports patron Perry Mariano.
A graduating high school student of St. Mary’s College in Quezon City, Rodlin John “RJ” Bautista, 13, plays for his school’s billiards team competing in the junior division of the B-League.
Bautista’s exploits, skills and talents in the early pace of the league sponsored 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 caught the attention of Mariano who co-organized the B-League in search of potential young players who will represent the country in future international competitions.
“He (Bautista) possesses the quality of future world class players starting from personality, dedication and discipline. With proper training and motivation, he is bound for glory in the sport of billiards,” said Mariano, who formally announced the acquisition of Bautista as a new member of Bugsy’s.
“I’m focused in the promotion of B-League. I don’t believe that out-of-school players are all capable of being champion. Collegiate players will uplift the status of billiards as a real sports discipline not for gambling or for the color of money. B-League will produce more world class pool sharks in the near future,” said Mariano.
Bautista, from Bagumbayan, Quezon City started playing at the age of 10 in their own billiards table bought by his supportive father Rodrigo (Bautista). He won the Tiger Cup Championship held at the Star Paper Billiards Center last year.