JEDDAH, 28 December — Outstanding favorites, Class A Sixtu Baui and Class B Andy Bertis, flashed their sterling billiards prowess to snatch individual honors in their respective divisions during the recently concluded Saudia Ramadan Billiards Classic 2001 at the NC-7 Recreation Center in Saudia City, Jeddah.
The event is spearheaded by veteran sportsman Fortune So, and is sponsored by generous gentlemen from the Saudia Airlines’ Filipino cockpit crew including captains Ronnie Cunanan, Tito Nolasco, Roger Muyot, Romy Matro, I. Enriquez, J. Yusuico, first officers Ding Garcia and Ding Miranda.
Other supportive individuals who helped make the event possible include Benny Espina as assistant tournament director, Bobot Nacionales-timer and scorer, Junior Tumbaga as spotter. Samir Photographic Supplies, the distributors of Kodak products, and Harley Davidson Motorcycles also rendered their overwhelming support.
It was indeed a long road with 35 participants strutting their wares over each other. At the end, Andy Bertis and Nelson Bacolod reached their journey to the frontline with strong determination and splendid performance.
Bacolod started out with impressive shots, pocketing 47 points and ended game one with an easy shot of ball 14 to the corner pocket. Realizing his errors in game one, Bertis revitalized himself, concentrating with precision shots coupled with placings and preparations thereby giving Bacolod hard time to find his way out to the open. Bertis took the game beyond doubt and went on to win games 3, 4 and 5 in a row using the same profile and claimed the Class B glory.
The much-awaited Amoncio-Baui encounter ensued, with Amoncio coming up pocketing consecutive points with magical shots and claimed game one. Baui tried to rectify his sluggish start in game two, gesturing a graceful finish with ball 14 in the side pocket and leveled the match. Game 3 was more exciting, as both players traded shots and refused to crumble until Baui got the needed breaks to outwit his opponent and won the game to lead, 2-1.
Visibly disturbed, Amoncio started losing confidence in game four for Baui to enjoy a psychological 3-1 advantage in the series. To the surprise of many, Amoncio regained his composure after cooling down to release excessive pressures. He claimed games 5 and 6 to even the series at 3-all, as he redeemed his championship pride and started celebrating with his supporters, Baui was held in awe quietly thinking his errors.
The deciding game showed Amoncio tossing the ball breaks, but no lucky shots. Baui pocketed ball 1 and 2 and executed a placing shot that gave Amoncio a hard time to hit his target. Again, Baui made graceful shots to pocket balls 3 and 4 but missed ball 5, giving Amoncio an open shot. After pocketing ball 5, Amoncio went on to pocket ball 6 and positioned himself for ball 7.
Haplessly, Amoncio missed his target. Instead, the ball rolled to the open and stopped right in front of the side pocket that gave Baui the much-needed break to regain his composure. He then calmly heaved a sigh of relief and started to propel after pocketing balls 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 to the disappointment of the dominant Amoncio fans.
Baui, the silent operator with a graceful shot, wiped out top group-2 contenders Henry Siazon, Fred Angeles and Boy Urquia and earned the right to face group-1 finalist Mon Amoncio in the best of seven championship series. Amoncio reached the top, brushing aside the challenge of Louie Ardan, Ben Timpog and Ernie Capito.
Aside from Baui and Amoncio, other class-A players who actively took part in the event include Capt. Romy Matro, Louie Ardan, Val Montero, Ben Timpog, Zaldy Samsin, June Tumbaga, Ernie Capito, E, Osana, Ted Dechavez, Alex Flora, Henry Siazon, Manny Onez, R. Santos, Boy Urquia, Ver Praxidio, E. De Luna, Fred Angeles and Ed Toledo.
Class-B participants include E. Monton, J. Ocampo, J. Magat, R. Muyot, E. Quiambao, B. Castillo, E. Santos, V. Abella, Supelana, D. Ramirez, N. Tolentino, R. Pasturan, L. Espino, M. Caibal, R. Lofamia, R. Cunanan, M. Jalandoni, E. David, R. Baquerpo, L. Alimorong, B. Calizo, B. Nacionales, R. Palustre, A. Casaje, B. Espino, R. Soriano, G. Grapia, D. Cabana, E. Mateo, A. Pilapil, R. Adarve and J. Santos.
