ADVANCER, WORLD JUNIOR 9 BALL

RENO, NEVADA – RP’s brightest hope Jerico Banares and Taiwanese ace Ko Pin-yi didn’t waste time to size each other up in the World Pool Billiard Association (WPA) Junior World Pool championship at the Sands Regency Hotel here.

Banares, the reigning national junior champion, and Ko, the defending world junior champion from Chinese Taipei, sparred during practice on Monday and immediately showed why they are tipped to go deep in the tournament.

Both players traded run outs in their turns at the table to the delight of the spectators and people of from the organizing Billiards Congress of America (BCA).

But they may have to wait until the final day to see Banares and Ko play on the same table on tournament setting.

Banares, who will face Roman Pruchai of Russia in the opening round, and Ko, who will open his title-retention bid against Marc Bucais of Canada, fall on the opposite sides of the draw.

Unless one of them loses early in the double-elimination tournament, they will end up meeting in the finals.

Jonas Magpantay, the 14-year-old from Bansud, Oriental Mindoro, will make his debut on the world stage opposite local bet Austin Murphy.

In the distaff side, Zemonette Oryan will also make her first international appearance on the opening day against Michelle Yap of Singapore.

Oryan, the reigning national women’s champion, is the first Filipina to play in the event for Under-19 players.

The country’s campaign in the tournament is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) , Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP), Raya Sports, Philippine Billiards Foundation and the Star Billiards Center.

BY: NOLI CRUZ/ MARLON BERNARDINO