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Thursday, April 13, 2006
Salgados tops ‘06 9 Balls Challenge
By Lizanilla J. Amarga and Joey P. Nacalaban
* Bags the billiard crown after a twin come-from-behind wins
SUNSTAR sports editor Lynde Salgados literally rose from the grave to rule the 2006 Media Challenge 9 Balls billiard tournament concluded here recently at the Time Out Food & Game Court.
Heeding the advice of his good friend and billiard expert Dr. Arsenio Noble, a bit rusty Salgados rallied from a precarious 1-3 deficit to dethrone defending champion Henry Lasola of RPN dxKO, 5-3 in their race to 5 final showdown.
Pressured no end by Lasola's cunning ability to sink the No.9 with his dreaded "karambola," Salgados managed to wake up in time just as when his ageless rival was about to lung in for a kill.
In a determined effort to stop Lasola from gaining an insurmountable 4-1 lead, Salgados showed exemplary pocketing to clean up the table at the slightest stroke of opportunity.
"Everytime nga madehado ko, mahinumdoman nako ang advise ni doctor nga dili lang mangilid or mamektos to minimize risk of making sablay. Sir Henry is a dangerous foe kay daghan tricks nga nahibal-an," said Salgados, even as he revealed later that it was in the semifinal game with Sun.Star SuperBalita ace Johnny Agustin that he almost kissed his title bid goodbye.
Agustin, a 3-0 winner of Lasola in the elimination round before the latter rebounded from the losers' bracket to reach the championship, needed just one rack to eliminate Salgados.
But Salgados displayed a nerve of steel in the tourney's most exciting battle to overcome a surprisingly tough Agustin, 3-2.
"Wala na ko mag-expect nga ma-hold pa iyang 2-1 lead though nawala akong kulba when I recalled doc's valuable tips nga importante kaayo ang kaisog ug dunong sa 9 balls where anybody has an equal chance to win. Johnny really gave me plenty of headaches during our game," Salgados said.
Salgados and Lasola went home P3,000 and P2,000 richers, respectively. While Agustin and Orwin Austria of Gold Star Daily settled for the second and third runners up awards worth P1,000 and P500 each also with trophies.
Sponsors of the tournament being organized by Gerry Gorit and Manny Agustero are Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno, Steag State Power, Inc., Cagayan de Oro City Water District, Bureau of Customs-10 collector Atty. Roberto Sacramento, Mambajao, Camiguin mayor Noordin Efigenio Romualdo, Tagoloan mayor Yevgen Vincente Emano, Villanueva mayor Julliette Uy.
Also, 4th Infantry Division commanding general Cardozo Luna, Philippine National Police regional director Florante Baguio, Office of the Presidential Assistant for Northern Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro Press Club, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Julian Pantonial.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Rene Orbe, Golden Chronicle, Gold Star Daily, Misamis Oriental-1 Rural Electric Service Cooperative, Inc., The Site and Del Monte Philippines, Inc.
Anti-Theft and Robbery Section head SPO2 Mario Pelaez, Aqua Sweet Purified Drinking Water, Cagayan de Oro city councilor Zaldy Ocon, Misamis Oriental provincial board members Norris Babiera and Jimmy Caiña.
(April 13, 2006 issue)
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