MAGPANTAY CLAIMS PAGCOR-KABAYAN BILYAR ARALAN 9-BALL CHALLENGE COVETED TITLE

Sunday, June 21, 2009, 21:09
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PHOTO CAPTION BY MARLON BERNARDINO:THE top three winners in the just-concluded 1st PAGCOR-KABAYAN Bilyar Aralan 9-Ball Challenge on Sunday at the Jaca Billiards Hall in Recto Avenue in Manila. Organized by Noli Sangil Cruz, president of the organizing Lion’s Den Enterprises, 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.

Photo shown from left to right: Chicklet Francisco, Husly Jusayan (3rd place), Alex Nobleza (tournament director), Jonas Magpantay (champion), Edward de Guzman (2nd place) and Liberty Icao

A FRESHMAN pupil of Ponciano Bernardo High School in Cubao dominates the 32 player’s field to rule the 1st PAGCOR-KABAYAN Bilyar Aralan 9-Ball Challenge on Sunday at the Jaca Billiards Hall in Recto Avenue in Manila.

Jonas Magpantay, 15, proved why he is one of the country’s brightest hope in pool by crushing Nueva Ecija native Edward de Guzman , 8-1, and take home the coveted the title plus the top purse of P20,000, trophy and cue sticks courtesy of BSCP president and long-time billiards patron Sebastian “Baste” Chua who graced the day 2 of action on Saturday. de Guzman, a 22-year-old Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) student, on the other hand satisfied the runner-up place of P10,000, trophy plus cue sticks.

” All my hard work has paid off”, said Magpantay, who race a 4-0 commanding lead before de Guzman won the rack in the fifth frame as the former (Magpantay) never looked back winning the last four racks for an 8-1 triumph.

” My next tournament is the Philippine Junior,” added Magpantay, a quarter-final finish in the last year’s World Junior of Pool Championships in Reno, Nevada. The 3rd Philippine Junior Pool Championship gets going on July 8 to 11 at the Star Billiards Center, no.46 Joy Street in Grace Village, Quezon City.

The double elimination, race-to-5, alternate break format, organized by Noli Sangil Cruz, president of the organizing Lion’s Den Enterprises, 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.

He introduced himself to the pool world during the Kabayan World 9-Ball Challenge two years ago, losing to former national junior champion Mark ” Big Mc” Mendoza.

Magpantay, the 2009 Philippine Pool Championships youngest qualifier start his campaign in a wrong foot losing to unheralded Noel Araniel, 5-1, in the first round on Friday then won all his match to progress in the money round against Christian Rivera via walk over victory, blasted Jesamine Ventura, 5-0, J.D. Serdan, 5-2, Ronald Cayetano, 5-1, Lourjay Cardino, 6-2, respectively then toppled Araniel, 6-4, in their rematch on the loser’s brackets on Saturday and nipped Bulacan’s Jeffrey Dayaon, 7-5, in the final four to arrange a titular showdown with de Guzman, who brought downed Husly Jusayan, 7-4 in another semi-final match on Sunday.

In the battle for third, Jusayan defeated Dayaon, 7-4, to received P5,000, trophy plus cue sticks. Dayaon didn’t go empty-handed with a concolation prize of P3,000 plus cue sticks.

Rounding up to the top 16 finishers were 5th-6th:Noel Araniel and Allen Decena (P1,700 each plus cue sticks), 7th to 8th:Lourjay Cardino and Jay Villariaza (P1,300 each plus cue sticks), 9th-12th: Kenneth Arpilleda, Ronald Cayetano, Elmer Ranara and Eliod Magpantay (P1,000 each) , 13th-16th: John Paul Serdan, Marlon Santos, Cedric Gonzales and Jannodin Riga (P500 each).

(Final rankings and tournament pay outs)

1st:Jonas Magpantay (P20,000 plus trophy, plus cue sticks)
2nd:Edward de Guzman (P10,000 plus trophy, plus cue sticks)
3rd:Husly Jusayan (P5,000 plus trophy, plus cue sticks)
4th-Jeffrey Dayaon (P3,000 plus cue sticks)
5th-6th:Noel Araniel and Allen Decena (P1,700 each plus cue sticks)
7th to 8th:Lourjay Cardino and Jay Villariaza (P1,300 each plus cue sticks)
9th-12th: Kenneth Arpilleda, Ronald Cayetano, Elmer Ranara and Eliod Magpantay (P1,000 each)
13th-16th: John Paul Serdan, Marlon Santos, Cedric Gonzales and Jannodin Riga (P500 each)

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO