By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
KANTO 10 Cue Benderz and Black8 Crooked Arrow 3 continued their climb up the standings in the Ilang Ilang Division of the 2026 SBA Budweiser Open 8-Ball League on Saturday, extending their winning streaks with victories at separate venues.
Kanto 10 Cue Benderz strengthened its hold on fourth place after edging third-ranked Tom Yum Shark Shooters, 7-6.
The Shark Shooters started strong in Singles 8-Ball play, with Alexander Ayeras, Elijah James Villanueva and Beejay Deniega winning three of the first four games to take an early lead. After the teams split the opening Partners 8-Ball set, Cue Benderz found its rhythm in the second Singles 8-Ball frame as JM Ellama, Warlee Ellama and Reno Acade each won their matches, sparking a 3-1 run that evened the score at 5-5.
Following another split in the second Partners 8-Ball frame, the match came down to the final Partners 8-Ball flight, where Matthew and Warlee Ellama secured the decisive seventh win against Christian Anas and Alexander Ayeras to give Cue Benderz the 7-6 victory.
Also extending its winning streak was Black8 Crooked Arrow 3, which defeated VFW Back Straight Boyz, 9-4.
Black8 Crooked Arrow 3 showed why it is considered a title contender with a dominant performance. After splitting the opening Singles 8-Ball frame, 2-2, the team took control during partner play as the pairings of Ray Matsunaga and Rex Tasi, along with Mei Rengil and Allan Sablan, swept their matches to build a 4-2 advantage.
Crooked Arrow 3 continued to build momentum in the second Singles 8-Ball frame as Joe Deleon Guerrero joined Matsunaga and Rengil in a 3-1 run that extended the lead to 7-3.
Although Back Straight Boyz managed to split the second Partners 8-Ball frame, the deficit proved too much to overcome. The duo of Deleon Guerrero and Ralph Demapan later secured the final Partners 8-Ball game to complete the 9-4 victory.
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.
