VFW No Regrets showed that they are not to be counted out in the Thursday Division of the Saipan Billiards Association Budweiser Open 8-Ball League after edging the top contender, Bamboo Kabalen, 7-6, Thursday at the VFW Bar.
It began as an even match with neither team gaining the upper hand.
But Kabalen was the first to grab the lead thanks to the precision of Jerry Soriano who bagged the opening Singles 8-Ball game. No Regrets answered with two consecutive wins courtesy of Mei Rengiil and Chris Camacho, but Kabalen’s Albert Pangilinan won a game to tie the match, 2-2.
The two teams then split the Partners 8-Ball and the second Singles 8-Ball game for a 5-5 tie.
In the second Partners 8-Ball game, however, No Regrets’ Anson Smith and Joe Villagomez, along with Rengiil and John Reyes, triumphed for a clean two-win sweep to seize the lead, 7-5.
Kabalen won the final Partners 8-Ball game, but it wasn’t enough to overtake No Regrets which won the match, 7-6.
Kabalen now shares the first-place spot with the Last Shot Eleven Tiger. Both have 17 wins.
Tiger vs Rebels
Last Shot Eleven Tiger also took a hit, losing against the 9 Eleven Rebels 2, 4-9.
The Rebels 2 had a strong start with Arlon Bensalida, Mervin Sahagun and Phil Kalen pulling a 3-1 run in the opening Singles 8-Ball game. They then kept the streak going with a two-win sweep in the Partners 8-Ball game for a 5-1 advantage.
Eleven Tiger still had some fight in them as they retaliated with a 3-1 run of their own in the second Singles 8-Ball game. But by winning the remaining three games, the Rebels 2 sealed victory, 9-4.
Winner’s circle
Joining the winner’s circle are the VFW IT&E Homeboyz who defeated Bamboo Soudelor Construction, 7-6; and SCS Just Chillin’ who slipped past the 9 Eleven Crazy Ballers, 7-6.
9 Eleven Rebels 2’s Rey Hermogenes lines up for a shot from the side pocket during a Thursday Division game of the SBA Budweiser Open 8-Ball League at 9 Eleven Restobar.
