Calasiao teen wins 2 gold in billiard
PALARONG PAMBANSA
CALASIAO—A young pool player became an instant celebrity in this town after winning two gold medals, her schools division’s lone gold medalist, in billiards in the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Tarpaulins were hung at the Calasiao Comprehensive National High School (CCNHS) carrying congratulatory messages for Jolina Recodos, incoming grade 10, for bringing home two gold medals in billiards’ 8-ball and 9-ball events.
Another tarpaulin was displayed at the family’s small eatery in Barangay Nalsian here where she hones her skills using the billiard tables being rented out. Recodos’ win in Palarong Pambansa is CCNHS’ first gold in this annual sporting event.
The youngest of seven siblings, Recodos learned the game when she was in grade five when her dad Gerry bought a billiard table for the family’s leisure time.
Her teacher-coach, Carlito Nilo, discovered her potentials after male billiard players in their school told him about a schoolmate and whom they could not beat in this game.
She was immediately recruited after Palarong Pambansa included billiards as one of the events.
Recodos was champion in Golden Break Tournament held in Urdaneta City in December, her second time to join billiard competition.
Recodos said she does not feel uncomfortable playing the game dominated by male players. “I’m used to being in the company of men,” she said, adding that their small billiard games business had exposed her to that environment.
Her double win in Palarong Pambansa gives a fresh breath of hope for Pangasinan delegation whose quest for gold this year became elusive with the dearth of gold won. Recodos represented Pangasinan Schools Division 1 under Region 1.
Coach Nilo said in a separate interview that Recodos “was the darling of billiard group” in Palarong Pambansa. Many would come to watch her play, he said.
“She is very humble and very honest. She even told a referee once that she had a “bad shot” even if the referee failed to see it during the competition,” Nilo said.
He added that Recodos has good pocketing and preparation for execution.
This early, some schools had manifested their interest to recruit Recodos as their varsity player by offering her educational incentives just to win her over, her coach said.
Recodos said her dream is to have an exhibition game with billiards Rubilen Amit, the first Filipino woman to become a world pool champion and to finish Accountancy course. (Tita Roces)
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