Photos by: Xadrian Yuri Bellosillo
On October 12, 2024, the second day of the Urdaneta City Private Schools Athletic Meet (UCPSAM), the International Colleges for Excellence, Inc. (ICE) participated in the billiards tournament. In the Boys’ category, players Jhon Wheld D. Decano and John Cedrick M. Gallema (both from Grade 12) competed alongside the players in the Girls’ category, Janis M. Asuncion (Grade 12) and Feb Cazandra Guban (Grade 11). All participated in the 8-ball and 9-ball events, except for Asuncion, who only competed in the 9-ball event. Both categories were coached by Ma’am Angelyn Isidro, who displayed exceptional optimism and an uplifting fighting spirit throughout her mentees’ games.
Jhon Wheld Decano’s 9-ball journey began with two powerful wins against Merryland Montessori and High School, Inc. and Lyceum-Northwestern University, which qualified him for the round-robin finals. He later lost to Merryland Montessori and High School, Inc. and Divine Word College of Urdaneta, Inc. (DWCU), but his earlier victories earned him the bronze medal, underscoring his consistency. In the 8-ball event, Decano won his first match but lost his second, demonstrating great sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
John Cedrick M. Gallema also performed well in the 9-ball, winning his first match against Our Lady of Lilies Academy (OLLA). However, he lost his second match and was eliminated from the tournament. In the 8-ball, he lost his first match but still kept his spirits high.
Janis M. Asuncion, who only played in the 9-ball event, exhibited confidence as she secured a gold medal against DWCU, OLLA, and her own teammate, Guban, from ICE. Asuncion’s commendable performance is proof of her unwavering commitment to reaching her goals, despite the tension of facing a fellow ICEan.
The sole Grade 11 student on the team, Feb Cazandra Guban, poured her heart into the game. Her strong presence left an impression on the audience as she looked at the billiard balls as if they were trophies, leading her to clinch a bronze in the 9-ball and a gold in the 8-ball. In the 8-ball, Guban fiercely battled against DWCU in the elimination round and OLLA in the championship.
ICE’s billiards team showed the skills and determination to compete at a high level. Decano’s bronze medal shows he can handle pressure, while Gallema’s effort highlights his toughness as a competitor. Asuncion’s gold medal exemplifies her perseverance, and Guban’s two medals (bronze and gold) exude strength and determination. Their performances are a great example of the values that ICE promotes, primarily excellence and sportsmanship.
