Billiards kicks off POC-PSC Games

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Billiards’ lessers lights, out to move out of the shadows of their more illustrious compatriots, see action as billiards and snooker open hostilities the POC-PSC National Games today in this “university city” out to prove it’s back on its feet after a couple of disasters.

With the big guns led by Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo and top lady bets Rubilen Amit and Iris Rañola absent due to various international competitions, the limelight is expected to fall on the aspirants and wannabes in cue competitions at the Dumaguete Convention Center.

Thirdy Tugado, who placed second to Jeff de Luna in last year’s 9-ball event, looks to go all the way this time in the men’s side, while Mary Anne Basas and 12-year-old Cheska Centeno, the runner-up and semifinalist in 2011, and national Zemonette Oryan, among others, seek to succeed Amit.

Francisco dela Cruz, silver medalist in carom in the last SEA Games, leads those vying for glory in snooker.

In baseball play at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Gab Bagamasbad drove Mark Unson in with a single in the fifth to lift ILLAM Big League to a 3-2 shocker over Phl Youth team.

It was ILLAM’s first win after dropping its first game to Philab in Group A. The Youth crew dropped to 2-2, in a tie with Angeles University Foundation which beat Adamson, 8-3.

Santo Tomas Tigers vaulted into the Group A lead with 4-1 after beating Phl juniors, 19-6, and Smokey Mountain, 15-0 (three innings) over in their home turf.

Cue sport ushers in action for at least 4,000 athletes from 24 sports converging here for the main bulk of the PNG joust, a showcase of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental’s resilience to rise from last year’s Typhoon “Sendong” and a 6.9 magnitude quake.

Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel “Chikiting” Sagarbarria and Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo will be joined by officials of the organizing PSC, led by chairman Richie Garcia and commissioner Jolly Gomez and POC, headed by president Peping Cojuangco, in officially declaring the Games open in colorful ceremonies at the Freedom Park.

National archers Love Guino and Jennifer Chan, proud daughters of Dumaguete, will lead the athletes in taking their oath of sportsmanship.

Arnis, indoor volleyball, men’s football, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, softball, table tennis, and beach volleyball will flag off their games tomorrow while badminton, chess, dancesport, pencak silat and triathlon will open on Sunday.

Other sports slated in the next few days of the conclave organized by the PSC and sponsored by Smart Communications and Summit Drinking Water are archery, arnis, athletics, futsal, judo, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.

Fourteen other sports are hosted by Metro Manila and Laguna, with gymnastics and motorcycle sports (road race) already through with their events and baseball and fencing commencing last Monday.

“From what we’ve seen in the Metro Manila legs of the PNG, we’re seeing a lot of competition, a lot of participation. That means more LGUs, more  teams, more athletes are involved in this program. We expect to see better competition here as compared to last year, hopefully more participation,” said Gomez.

He expressed confidence the PNG will give birth to fresh blood.

“Judging from what I’ve seen in baseball, youngsters will emerge. The national baseball team almost lost to the youth team and I think we’ll be seeing a little bit of that, which is good. I’m hoping sports like athletics will start showing some newer athletes that will probably give our older track and field national team a run for their money. And watch out for beach volleyball, there’s a lot of young players from this area,” Gomez added.