In a notable first for this year’s Palarong Atenista, the School of Nursing (SON) Panthers and School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) Tigers emerged victorious in the newly added billiards competition in this year’s Palarong Atenista. 

For a first-to-five bout, SON’s lone competitor Sittie Shareena Sandigana, secured victory with a 5-3 win against the Social Sciences (SS) Dragons, with the Business and Management (B&M) Vipers in third place for the women’s category.

In an interview with Atenews, Sandigan expressed her enthusiasm for billiards’ debut in this year’s Palarong Atenista.

“Since nagabilliards din talaga kami for fun ng friends ko, thrilling din siya and exciting since first time ito na may billiards sa Palaro,” Sandigan said. 

Additionally, Sandigan shared her tactical approaches toward her triumph and how she managed to outwit her opponents.

“I feel like daghan kaayo kog lucks that time, pero at the same time kay since meron din kasi ginaturo sa akin yung mga kasama ko na if ang bola is difficult to see, at least man lang matago mo ang bola sa kalaban pero di man ako marunong paano siya itago. So, ang ginabuhat nalang nako is as much as possible, ma-hit ko ang ball.” 

In the men’s division, SEA Tigers’ Diether Fernandez and Marje Gabriel Lopez bagged the win as they went against the SON Panthers with a 5-2 standing, resulting in the SOE Sharks in third place.

“I’m very grateful kay of course, sa billiards kay yung iba di pa rin ito kinoconsider na sport but based sa mga games kanina, maraming students sa Ateneo na may potential sa billiards and may chance sila na mapakita ang skills and galing nila sa billiards, hindi lang sa ibang sports,” Fernandez shared.

Regarding their strategies to triumph over the other clusters, Fernandez and Lopez emphasized the importance of a strong defense.

“Hindi namin binibigyan ng easy shot yung kalaban. Mahirap man ang tira, i-dedepensa talaga namin. Kasi hindi pwede na tira lang tapos wala, na hindi mo gamitan ng startegy kase mahirap. Magaling din kasi yung kalaban.” 

According to this year’s Palarong Atenista Head Andy Judd Lumain, the event was added to better represent the diversify the athletic events based on the interests of Ateneans. 

“Billiards was added to reflect on the interests and talents of the broader Ateneo student body. When the UAO [University Athletics Office] pitched the inclusion of the said sport and emphasized diversifying sporting events, the cluster 4epresentatives were genuinely open and accepting of its incorporation in Palaro.”

The billiards tournament for men’s and women’s categories was held on September 15 at Ball Breakers Obrero.