INQUIRER Sports

TWO of the country's rising cue artists will face each other when the 1st PAGCOR-Kabayan Bilyar-Aralan 9-Ball Challenge gets underway on June 19 at the Jaca Bar and Billiards in Recto, Manila.

Jonas Magpantay, the 2008 Reno World Junior of Pool Championships (for boys) quarter-finalist and Zemonette Oryan, who won bronze in the same tournament, head the cast in the June 19 to 21 tournament supported by Vice-President Noli ?Kabayan? De Castro, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The event aims to encourage young billiard players to pursue their studies and promote the sport among students.

Other early entries include Jeffrey Dayaon, Dan Mendoza, Dexter Cobarrubias, May Ann Castro, and Lester Pusong of Mapua, Robert Rex Monzon and Joel Araniel of PMI.

No less than World 10-Ball Championships semifinalist Demosthenes ?Plong-Plong? Pulpul will be the guest of honor in the 9-ball affair. He will also give playing tips.

Registration is free. Interested parties may contact Noli Cruz, president of the organizing Lion?s Den Enterprises, at 4928028 or 0929-8357770.

A total of P50,000 is at stake in the three-day event with the champion getting P20,000.