Jaybee Sucal: The Rising Star of Philippine Billiards
In the world of billiards, the Philippines has produced another legend in the making, reminiscent of the great Efren "Bata" Reyes. This young talent is none other than Jaybee Sucal, a 14-year-old boy from Sarangani, who is making waves in the world of billiards with his aspirations to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Reyes.
Jaybee's journey into the world of billiards began at the tender age of 9. Initially, he started by simply picking up stray balls for the players at a local billiards hall. Due to his modest height, Jaybee couldn't reach the billiard table, so he practiced with small balls and used the cue stick as a makeshift cue.
"My father taught me how to strategize and the techniques of playing billiards," Jaybee shared.
In just 3 years, Jaybee emerged as a young billiards prodigy. At the age of 12, he started competing in tournaments in General Santos City and defeated opponents much older than himself.
Adam, a 42-year-old billiards hall owner in the area, admitted, "Right now, everyone is afraid of him. No one wants to compete against him except for me."
Adam, who has been playing billiards for 12 years, had to accept defeat at the hands of Jaybee, even suffering a 0-5 loss in a match. "I used to be unconcerned. Now, I'm worried because he's better than me," Adam shared.
Jaybee earns between 500 to 7,000 PHP (approximately 3,000 USD) each time he wins a tournament and contributes the entire sum to his parents to cover expenses. Jaybee's father, Bobby, is a banana farmer, while his mother, Jessica, takes care of Jaybee's 4 siblings at home.
Despite Jaybee's contribution to the family's income through billiards, his father still emphasizes the importance of education.
"I told my son, 'Bee, do what you want. But make sure you don't neglect your studies. Before playing billiards, study first to enhance your knowledge of the game'," Bobby said.
Jaybee has heeded his father's advice. "I always prioritize my studies. After completing my lessons, I go to the billiards hall to practice. I want to finish my studies so I can play billiards comfortably afterward," Jaybee stated.
Jaybee dreams of going to Manila to establish his own career in billiards. "I want to be as famous as Efren Bata Reyes so I can help my parents. I want to build a new house for them," the 14-year-old boy expressed.
Like many other players, Jaybee is captivated by the skill of "The Magician" Reyes. "He is the best. His shots are always accurate. I want to compete with him. I want to learn techniques from my idol Efren," Jaybee remarked.
A program facilitated Jaybee's meeting with his idol and provided him with the opportunity to compete alongside Efren. The billiards legend instructed Jaybee on techniques and even gifted him a cue. This small gift from his idol Reyes holds great value and marks an important milestone in Jaybee's talent development.
Reyes, once a billiards hall attendant who honed his skills, went on to become a superstar in high-stakes matches, making waves in international tournaments. Jaybee is currently a local superstar in billiards matches, and everyone hopes that this 14-year-old boy can continue the success of the 69-year-old legend.
In conclusion, Jaybee Sucal is a shining example of talent and determination in the world of Philippine billiards. His dedication to both his education and his passion for billiards sets him apart as a rising star with the potential to make a significant impact in the sport.
