Valle's son to compete in his 1st tourney

THE son of Gandy Valle, Ralph Lauren Sapsal, will test his mettle in the 5th Sun.Star SuperBalita 9-Ball Challenge 1st National Open elementary division that will get underway on November 10 and 11 at the NCCC Mall activity center.

Sapsal, in an interview on the sideline of the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at Tower Inn on Tuesday, said it will be his first time to join in a major competition.

"Nakulbaan ko kay first time nako muapil ug tournament. Pero maningkamot gyud ko nga magchampion (I'm nervous because it will be my first tournament. I will do my best to become a champion)," Sapsal said.

The fourth-grader from Holy Child College of Davao only started learning the ropes of the sport last year with his father as personal trainer.

"I've been training for a month now for the SuperBalita 9-ball," he said.

Valle, in a separate interview, said he does not expect his son to win in his first tournament.

The Dabawenyo ace said, "There are also many strong youth players in his category. All I wanted is for him to be exposed in competition and to have growing interest in the sport."

Valle urged his son to play billiards instead of playing computers. When both of them do play billiards together, Valle doesn't teach his son everything he knows at all.

"I want him to learn his own way and discover his style. I hope he learns more from this tournament," Valle, who is seeing action in the open category, added.