Lyceum claims first B-League senior title

MANILA, Philippines - Lyceum fashioned out a 3-2 victory over National University to capture the seniors crown in the first National Collegiate Billiards League at SM Manila last Monday.

Rennel Dugos edged Reynold dela Fuente, 7-6, in 10-ball as the Pirates seized the lead but the Bulldogs equalized on Ron Elbert’s similar 7-6 win over Robbie Soqueco in 9-ball.

But Lyceum’s Enrico Lat Jr. and Jhunee Manarang nipped Albritz Navarro and dela Fuente, 5-4, in a topsy-turvy 8-ball duel to clinch the win in the event organized by Perry Mariano of Bugsy Promotions and Reli de Leon.

Lyceum thus joined Xavier, which ruled the juniors side, as the first winners of the league backed by Accel, H20 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 Corporation, GSM Blue, PBA Party List and TV5.

Dugos went on to bag the MVP plum.

The Pirates took the first two racks in the 8-ball decider but Lat made a scratch while trying to pocket the black 8, enabling the Bulldogs to snatch the rack and the next two to move ahead, 3-2.

Lyceum, however, fought back and took the next two to wrest back the lead but Manarang made a bad shot, allowing NU to force a hill-hill game.

But the Pirates prevailed in a duel of safeties with Lat clinching the victory for the team.

In the semis, Lyceum beat elims topnotcher St. Clare College of Caloocan, 2-0, while NU turned back fancied Univ. of the East, 2-1, in their own side of the semis duel.