FEU Tams, UST Tigers NCBL faves

MANILA—With a pair of promising cue artists bannering their campaign, Far Eastern U and University of Santo Tomas loom as favorites in the inaugural National Collegiate Billiards League starting Nov. 20 at the Manila Ocean Park. 

Cedrick Gonzales, 16, is expected to lead the Tigers’ campaign in the tournament dubbed the “B-League,” while a confident  Mark Jhon Lacey will be the spearhead of a formidable FEU squad.

“My dream is to become a world champion and this tournament will help me improve my skills,” said Gonzales, who counts Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Ronnie Alcano among his pool idols. 

Gonzales will be joined by Joven Lim, Kenneth Acosta, Michael Hipolito and Conrad Cruz in the UST squad. 

Rival schools La Salle and Ateneo are also fielding teams in the B-League supported by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and GSM Blue. 

Lacey expressed confidence that the Tamaraws can stamp their class in the tournament. 

“We will let our game do the talking,” said the Cainta-born Lacey, who will team up with  Danrisse Inductivo, Ferdie Tobias, Andrei Ruiz and Kenidy Ignacio.

Reli De Leon and billiards patron Perry Mariano of Bugsy Promotions are organizing the event which culminates on March 13, 2011.