MANILA -- The Philippines is set to breed new cue stars with the staging of a four-month tournament dubbed the National Collegiate Billiards League starting November 20.

The competition, which seeks to produce the next finest cue artists, has attracted at least 19 schools and received the backing of various firms and individuals.

Leading the way for the NCBL are Reli de Leon, one of the pioneer PBA player agents and event organizer, and Perry Mariano, founder of the Billiards Managers and Players Association, who are the league’s president and vice president, respectively. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)