By Jun G. Garcia

Defending champion Detour Signals does it again in the finals of the National Billiards Association (NBA) 8–ball Tournament defeating Inn Suites at the Filling Station bar and restaurant in Burgos Street, Makati City on May 30.

The championship match is tied at 8-8 apiece when both teams went for a very close deciding match between Angeline Halili and Colin Didcott of Detour Signals and Lovely De Leon and Boyet Dungo of Inn Suites.

In the first set, Angeline and Colin have wisely made a lot of safety shots and perfect executions of strategy. Colin pocketed three consecutive stripes but missed on the ninth leaving Boyet with many options. Boyet sinking three solid balls in a row, missed on the sixth on the upper left corner. Angeline smartly consulted Colin before taking her shot. Contemplating on the ninth and 10th, she took 10 instead then made a miracle shot on the ninth. Thus making it easy for her to get the 8th and pinned the point in the first set for the Signals.

The second set was an upset for this deciding match. Boyet, as captain went back to do his chore leaving no chances open for their opponents. But teammate Lovely almost made a mistake in the closing moment of the game when she missed on the solid (2) but miraculously hiding the cue ball leaving Colin in trouble for the 13th. Colin opted for a safety shot but accidentally committed a scratch. Boyet all focus on the ball earlier missed by his partner, was able to shoot it. He then went on to pocket the 8th in the right corner to tie the match at 1-1.

In the final set, referee Eddie Lee of Rack n’ Roll became stricter because both pairs were taking their time so long before making their shots. Both pairs agreed anyway so the last and deciding game continued with Lovely making the break. All spectators and supporters were holding their breathe then. There was no music; not even a noise that would distract the players. The two pairs were taking their time in figuring the strategy. But it was grace under pressure for Colin when he was able to pocket three solids all the way to the winning 8th, all in difficult positions. Thus, concluding the deciding match victoriously at 9-8 and making a record as back to back champion in the history of the National Billiards Association. Inn Suites, on the other hand landed 1st Runner up.

Meanwhile, it was also a close match between Cable Car Alabang versus the Filling Station. Both teams are also tied at 8-8 when team captain Lyka Fernando of Filling Station led the rally and once again gaining momentum to finish the game at 9-8 to grab the 2nd runner up position while new entry Cable Car Alabang ended 3rd runner up.

the first season, which was presented by Jim Beam, was full of emotions and surprises. New entry Cable Car Alabang surprisingly made a good finish in group B meeting Filling Station, which went down and finished second in the group A, for the battle for 2nd and 3rd runner up positions. Inn Suites is also a surprise to meet Signals in the finals.

NBA President Degenever "Buddy" Laudato earlier predicted that Inn Suites is really the underdog in the finals against Signals noting that all the latter’s players are cream of the crop. But he said that if Inn Suites can make an upset, then that would be a big one. It was almost an upset for Inn Suites had Colin missed any of the difficult shots he was able to shoot.

On Cable Car versus last year’s first runner up - Filling Station, Buddy said that Lyka’s team, experience-wise, is already tried and tested over the years. But Buddy disclosed that Cable Car Alabang, which actually has 37 players, would only be fielding 15 players which he (Buddy) believes as the best in the platoon. "So they can always make a come-back. Miracle can still happen," said Buddy. He revealed observing the performance of Filling Station against Detour Signals on the second to the last playing day. "We were not expecting Detour Signals to beat Filling Station at 13-4. We are expecting a very close game like 9-8 or 10-7 to the least. But coming from a 13-4 victory over Filling Station, you can see how prepared Signals are. That made the turning point for the defending champion, Detour Signals," he narrated.

As to his overall assessment on the league, he explained that the only problem they experienced this season is the interpretation of the rules. He said, "There are players and team captains, though I don’t like to use the term - sore loser, but somehow it boils to that point. In spite of their knowledge on the rules of the tournament, they would still interpret something to divert the rule. But it has always been our policy to be firm and fair in every decision we make. We should be fair to everybody. We have the format, we have the rules, but still, as you go on with the tournament, there are instances wherein such incident are not indicated in the rules, so we make amendments or additions on that particular guideline. But it is being discussed in the board meeting. There’s always a consensus and votation and not just imposing new rules in the middle of the game."

The typical example of the Buddy’s explanation is the rule on "winner over the other" in case of a tie. Suppose players A & B are tied at 2-1 apiece but player B vowed to player A during their meet, then it would automatically be player A on the top. A rematch or a replay or point system is no longer applicable hence this rule was approved by majority of the board members and has been made known to all the players. This ruling shall also apply in the second conference, provided a motion for revision or amendment of this rule is called. The next season is tentatively slated on July 2004.

"We, as officers must stick to that rule. We shall never change or impose new rules in the middle of the game just to favor a player or so. It would never be good to make changes or consideration every time a player complains. We are not insensitive but we have to stick to the rules," asserted Buddy.

He added that they are still open in accepting new entries for the next season. For interested billiard bar owners, they may call 897-2053 to 57 or call Lyka at 0919-6100022. For inquiries, they may look for NBA Commissioner Cesar Fuster Correa at telephone numbers 780-6385 and 713-2419 or mobile 0917-7415877. The NBA has come up with a scheme in accepting new entries. They are now considering the distance as per their discussion in the board.

The NBA president is grateful to all the team captains and all the players in general for committing themselves voluntarily in the tournament. "It’s hard. We are just doing this for fun. They are not even getting paid. They don’t even get nor receive transportation or gasoline allowances just to play a game or two. They are not getting anything here except for fun and camaraderie." All the captains’ efforts must be recognized also. Their efforts in making this endeavor a success is something that should never be neglected.

Another thing that the NBA prexy pointed out is the side comments that has been rounding up the venues of the games. According to the tittle-tattle, there are teams who have qualms of joining the next season because of the venues. "On the part of the association, I would say that this is not compulsory. Anybody can join if they are interested in joining. But not to brag about it, I can say that the association can stand even if they won’t join. So if they won’t, so be it. But it would be unethical for them to speak negative things about the group they used to belong," Buddy retorted. "When Heckle & Jeckle at Token Bar opted not to participate in the league, they said they can’t send people to as far as Alabang because of the traffic. But before the tournament starts, we gave them the schedules. From that, they would know when to meet their players and inform them to prepare for the particular game on a certain venue. It’s a matter of proper scheduling and good communication. Two weeks before the actual tournament, they already got hold of the schedule." However, there are players from former teams who chose to join other teams so they can play in the league.