The highly anticipated Sharks Billiards Association (SBA) is officially kicking off in the Philippines, with four teams competing in its first-ever season.
The draft pick event, held on Sunday, August 18, at Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta, Cubao, Quezon City, unveiled the 20 players selected to represent the Quezon City Dragons, Taguig Stallions, Manila MSW Mavericks, and Negros Occidental Pillars.
SBA Draft Selections:
Quezon City Dragons
- Jerico Bañares
- John Limuel Rebong
- Dean Mark Castroneuvo
- Paul John Ladao
- Alexis Ferrer
Taguig Stallions
- Rodrigo Geronimo
- Demosthenes Pulpul
- Michael Quinay
- Bryant Saguiped
- Marc Ejay Cunanan
Negros Occidental Pillars
- Oliver Villafuerte
- Albert Espinola
- Jonald Galve
- Ryan Mark Hidalgo
- Jolo Aspuria
Manila MSW Mavericks
- Baseth Mocaibat
- Jonas Magpantay
- John Drahcir Mauricio
- John Albert Refulle
- Tristan Deocareza
Each team comprises five players who will face off weekly in singles, doubles, and 5-on-5 formats, with corresponding points up for grabs.
"'Yung players natin, they are caliber players that can beat top professional players abroad. So, I think with this, maikakalat namin 'yung talents ng players," said SBA Founder and CEO Hadley Marian.
John Lemuel Rebong of the Quezon City Dragons shared his excitement, saying, "Ngayon magkakaroon kami ng income na hindi na namin kailangang hanapin pa sa iba, may team owner na mag-aalaga sa amin."
This historic event wouldn’t be complete without the presence of the greatest billiards player of all time, 'The Magician' Efren 'Bata' Reyes.
Reyes emphasized the importance of SBA in growing the sport in the Philippines: "Malaki ang maitutulong ng SBA sa billiards lalong lalo na sa mga kapwa ko players at marami nang maglalaro dahil may kinikita na sila. Medyo palaki nang palaki, di kamukha nugn araw, mahina."
The inaugural professional pool league, not just in the Philippines but in the world, is set to begin in September, marking a new era for billiards.
In closing, Efren Reyes had this message for everyone involved in the sport:
"Sa lahat ng mga sumusuporta sa SBA, iniimbitahan namin kayo sa paparating na SBA."
