By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
THE Ilang Ilang division of the 2026 Saipan Billiards Association Budweiser Open 8-Ball League delivered high-level action on Saturday night, shaking up the mid-season standings as Kanto 10 Achievers and Kanto 10 Cue Benderz battled to improve their position in the standings.
The front-running Kanto 10 Achievers extended their lead at the top of the division with 32 wins after edging Tom Yum Shark Shooters, 8-5, at Tom Yum Restaurant.
The Singles 8-Ball set began with Kanto 10’s Oliver Gragasin taking the opening game. The Shark Shooters quickly responded with three consecutive wins from Christian “Adam” Anas, Alexander Ayeras and Beejay Deniega to take control, 3-1.
However, in the first round of Partners 8-Ball, the Achievers regrouped as the pairings of Charis May Conlu and Lance Deleon Guerrero, along with JM Matriz and Gragasin, delivered a two-win sweep to level the match at 3-3.
The Achievers then pulled away in the second singles rotation as Conlu, Deleon Guerrero and Gragasin added key wins to widen the gap. Despite a late doubles push from Ayeras and Villanueva, the Achievers had already secured the match after another two-win sweep to clinch the 8-5 victory.
Kanto 10 Cue Benderz also earned a narrow win, slipping past Black8 Crooked Arrow 3, 7-6, at Black8 Pool Bar.
Crooked Arrow 3 started strong as Mei Rengiil, Alan Sablan and Ray Matsunaga collected early wins in the opening singles frame to take a 3-1 lead.
The Cue Benderz responded in doubles play, with Burth Dacumos and Rena Acade, along with George Medina and JM Ellama, winning back-to-back matches to tie the contest at 3-3.
After splitting the second Singles 8-Ball set, the match came down to the Partners 8-Ball round, where Cue Benderz veterans Warlee and JM Ellama, along with Ray Naluz and Acade, delivered a two-win sweep to secure the comeback victory.
Crooked Arrow 3 salvaged the final Partners 8-Ball game through Deleon Guerrero and Ralph Demapan but fell short, 7-6.
Division outlook
With the results, Kanto 10 Achievers strengthened their hold on first place with 32 wins and 20 losses. Despite the narrow defeat, Black8 Crooked Arrow 3 remains in second place, tied closely with Tom Yum Noypi 2.0 at 28 wins and 24 losses. For Kanto 10 Cue Benderz, the 7-6 victory provides momentum as they remain within striking distance of the top four as the postseason race intensifies.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
