Magpantay captures Philippine Junior Pool diadem

TEENAGE sensation Jonas Magpantay of Oriental Mindoro beat Paul Kenneth Arpilleda of Negros Occidental, 9-4 in Saturday’s finals to win the 2011 Philippine Junior Pool Championship title at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City.

In the battle for third place, 18-year-old Hushley Jusayan of Bulacan beat Rodlin John Bautista of Quezon City, 9-4.

Meanwhile, the separate championship for girls under 18 was postponed because of an insufficient number of entries. BSCP officials decided to stage instead an exhibition match between Reggie Ann Biagcong (18) of Davao City and Chezka Centeno (12) of Zamboanga City.

Centeno surprised spectators and tournament officials by beating Biagcong, 9-5. The 12-year-old showed unusual skills and flair at the billiard table to herald her coming as a future Philippine pool standout.

Both Centeno and Biagcong will be taking part in the 2011 BSCP National Pool Championship for men and women scheduled in September also at Star Billiards Center.

For winning the tournament, Magpantay will represent the Philippines in the WPA World Juniors Championship in Poland on Aug. 31-Sept 3.

Raya Sports, promoter of the WPA World Ten Ball Championship and the Philippine Open Pool Championship, donated the prizes in the juniors competition. It will also shoulder the travel expenses of Magpantay to Poland.

Magpantay, Arpilleda, Jusayan and Bautista will also compete in the forthcoming BSCP National Championship free of charge.  /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino