Bernardo, Seguido post wins in LBC Billiard Challenge

The sixth thrilling week of the LBC sponsored doubles billiard tournament witnessed another impressive showmanship during the weekend here.
Mar Bernardo and Alex Seguido were sizzling hot and went on to extend their winning streak to 4-0 after a come-from-behind victory against strong rivals Mike Victor and Buddy Rolano, 5-4.
The duo from northern Philippines finally earned a semifinals berth after rising from the ranks in the winners’ bracket. They are expected to clash with waiting contenders Lito Santos and Mike Montanier, a duel long been awaited by billiard enthusiasts here. A win by Bernardo and Seguido will earn them a seat in the finals, while a loss will move them to the losers’ bracket for a guaranteed third place.
Mike Victor and Buddy Rolano grabbed the first four racks that rattled the winners but a win in the fifth rack shifted momentum on the winners’ side that turned the situation in their favor. Bernardo and Seguido arranged perfect combination shots while their grips were still hot and swept all the remaining four racks ending a 5-4 final score. Victor and Rolano could not believe their plight of being dumped in the losers’ bracket to contest for only fifth or sixth place. They need two more wins in order to compete in the championship round. It was a sorry loss as the spectators expected them to challenge Santos and Montanier in the semis.
In the losers’ bracket, Mike Dumasil and Moods Mohammed finally stopped William Marzan and Mar Navarro in a no match contest, 5-1 later in the week. The losers opened the game with a win but surrendered all the remaining five racks to the winners and tasted the bitter pill of elimination. Dumasil and Mohammed vowed to score another win in order to advance. Santos and Montanier share the top spot with Bernardo and Seguido on 4-0 win-loss record. They are the only teams left in the winners’ bracket and will clash for the semis this week. The winner will reserve a seat for the finals while the loser moves to the losers’ bracket and clash with the winner in that bracket. Richie Solicar and Luigi Casimero also share the top spot in the losers’ bracket with Raul Constantino and James Ortega on 3-1.
This event is organized by Filipino Expatriates Billiard Association in Riyadh (FEBAR) with full sponsorship of LBC “Hari ng Padala” under the leadership of Arnold Cereno, the country manager and officers Allan Bautista and Veronica Rey. The secondary sponsors are Java City, New Cabalen, Mama Lulu Fastfood, Shahid Broast, CFC, Kruathai, Link International Travel and Pasalubong Restaurant and Bakery. Official venue is Rick Cabial’s Idol 1&2 Billiard Centers located on top of Said Rafiq’s Java City. Games are played via 10 balls doubles format under international standard rules, combination of Class C and D players in a race-to-five matches Thursdays and Fridays starting from 5 p.m. The semifinal and final rounds will be race-to-seven matches.