Last Shot Shark bite into finals after 9-4 victory

By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff

LAST Shot Hobbies Shark clinched their spot in the Tuesday Division finals of the 2025 SBA Budweiser Open 8-Ball League on Tuesday night, after outshooting their adversary, Black 8 Crooked Arrow, 9-4, in the semifinals match held at the Last Shot Bar.

Playing on their home turf, Last Shot Hobbies Shark came out firing as the pair of Drake Taitano and Marc Brian Nelvis, along with Frankie Blas and PJ Ramos, set the tone early with a clean two-win sweep in the opening Partners 8-Ball set.

While Crooked Arrow fought back with Rey Hermogenes and Ken Chen nabbing wins in the following Singles 8-Ball set, Shark stayed composed, with Taitano and Nelvis bagging the remaining two games, followed by another 1-1 split in the second Partners 8-Ball set to stay ahead, 5-3.

Crooked Arrow’s John Magofna tried to turn the tide by claiming the first game of the second Singles 8-Ball set, but their comeback was short-lived as Shark retaliated with three consecutive wins by Blas, Nolan Cultura, and Nelvis to extend their lead, 8-4.

Ramos then sealed the victory by taking the first game of the final Singles 8-Ball set, securing the race to nine and advancing Shark to the finals, 9-4.

Black 8 Noypi Strikers had a tougher night but, with steady play, managed to pull away with a 9-6 win over Black 8 Ideal Signs Rustler.

The night began with an even split in the opening Partners 8-Ball set. However, it was the Singles round that gave Noypi Strikers the edge as they swept four straight games through Ray Torres, Domino Antonio, Rjhay Singca, and Lito Pangilinan to take the driver’s seat, 5-1.

Despite the early deficit, Rustler remained vigilant, splitting the second Partners 8-Ball set and closing the gap with a 3-1 run led by Albert Pangilinan, Roman Rodriguez, and Rowel “Cobra” Mariano to make it 7-5.

Unfortunately for Rustler, their rally ran out of steam as Noypi Strikers’ Antonio and Singca secured the last two wins needed to reach nine and seal the match, 9-6.

The battle for third place between Crooked Arrow and Rustler, as well as the finals between Shark and Noypi Strikers, will be held next Tuesday night.

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.