B-League: FEU forces four-way tie at second

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University edged highly favored University of Santo Tomas, 2-1, then won by default over Trinity University of Asia to gain a share of second place in the second National Collegiate Billiards League (B-League) at the Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City Sunday.

Danrisse Inductivo crushed Cedric Gonzales, 7-5, in the 9-ball competition while the pair of Rocky Alcazar and Angelo Escosia nipped the tandem of Carl Cruz and Gerthee Estrella, 5-4, in the 10-ball doubles.

The Tigers avoided a shutout loss as Rodlin John “RJ” Bautista trounced Mark Lacey, 7-5, in the 10-ball singles.

The win put the Tamaraws in joint second place with AMA Computer University, Fatima University and Letran College with a total 25 points apiece in this tourney backed by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, sports patron Philip Escudero of Malungai Life Oil, Mandarin Sky Sea Food Restaurant, Hermes Sports Bar, I-Bar, BRKHRD Corp, Golden Leaf Restaurant, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and Bugsy Promotions.

AMA won by default against Centro Escolar University, 3-0, then subdued Ateneo de Manila University, 2-1; Fatima also won by default over Technological University of the Philippines, 3-0, then shocked UST, 2-1, while Letran nipped Pasig Catholic College, 2-1, and tripped Trinity, 2-1.

Despite back-to-back loses of the UST cue artists, they stayed on top with 27 points in this tourney also supported by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Representative Winston Castelo, Star Billiards Center, Brunswick, The Philippine STAR, Crown Sound System Sakura Amplifiers and Home Theater Systems and long-time billiards patron Sebastian “Baste” Chua.

In the juniors division, defending champion Xavier, Arellano and Claret School toppled their respective rivals to share on top with 12 points each. Xavier won via default against San Sebastian College, 3-0, Arellano also won via default against La Salle Greenhills High School, 3-0, and Claret toppled Pasig Catholic College, 2-1.

Hans Pablo and Rex Macaranas carried the fight for Claret after beating AJ Gualberto and Ryan Javier, 5-1, in the 10-ball doubles competition. Pablo also blasted Gualberto, 7-0, in the 10-ball competition. Javier, meantime, powered PCC with a 7-3 victory over Kazro Magno in the 9-ball competition.