CHASE BEGINS TODAY FOR 1ST PAGCOR-KABAYAN BILYAR-ARALAN 9-BALL CHALLENGE

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—THE 1st PAGCOR-Kabayan Bilyar-aralan 9-Ball Challenge fires off, today with the cream of the country’s cue artists battling it out for top honors at the Jaca Bar and Billiards, University Belt in Recto, Manila.

Jonas Magpantay, the 2008 Reno World Junior of Pool Championships  (for boys) quarter-finalists and 2008 Reno World Junior of Pool Championships (for girls) bronze medallist Zemonette Oryan heads the cast in the three (June 19 to 21) day tournament supported by Vice-President Noli “Kabayan” De Castro, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), aims to encourage young billiard players to pursue their studies and also promote the sport among students.

” All eyes on Jonas (Magpantay) and Zemonette (Oryan) because of their superb performance in the 2008 World Junior Championships in Reno, Nevada,” said Mindoro journalist Noli Sangil Cruz,  president of the organizing Lion’s Den Enterprises, also the organizer of RP versus Rest of the World in Calapan, Mindoro two years ago.

However, Magpantay, 15, a freshman pupil of Ponciano Bernardo High School in Cubao is the top favorites to win the top prize of P20,000 in this three-day (June 19 to 21) total P50,000 tournament after making to the main draw of the 2008 Philippine Pool Tour at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. He is the youngest qualifier in the said 10-ball event.

The players must present their report cards or class cards from School Year 2008-09 to join the competition.

Other entries that includes John Alfred Pascual of AMA East Rizal, Jay Monziar Villariaza of NEUST-Cabanatuan, Jeffrey Dayaon, Dan Mendoza, Dexter Cobarrubias, May Ann Castro, and Lester Pusong of Mapua, Robert Rex Monzon and Joel Araniel of PMI.
2008 World Ten Ball Championships semi-finalists Demosthenes “Plong-Plong” Pulpul will do the traditional ceremonial lag. He also give playing tips. Registration is free.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO