INQUIRER Sports

THE 1st PAGCOR-Kabayan Bilyar-Aralan 9-Ball Challenge fires off today with the cream of the country's junior cue artists battling it out for top honors at the Jaca Bar and Billiards in Recto, Manila.

Jonas Magpantay, the 2008 Reno World Junior of Pool Championships (for boys) quarter-finalist and 2008 Reno World Junior of Pool Championships (for girls) bronze medallist Zemonette Oryan head the cast of entries in the three-day (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 also promote the sport.

?All eyes are 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, which also organized the RP vs Rest of the World tournament held in Calapan, Mindoro two years ago.

Magpantay, 15, a freshman at the Ponciano Bernardo High School in Cubao is the favorite to win the top prize of P20,000 in the P50,000 tournament after making it 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.

Players must present their report cards or class cards from school year 2008-09 to be able to join the competition.

Other favorites include 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.

Meanwhile, 2008 World Ten Ball Championships and RP Pool Championships semi-finalist Demosthenes ?Plong-Plong? Pulpul will do the traditional ceremonial lag. The Cebu-based player who is playing under the Magi Group of businessman/sportsman Paul Magadan, will also give playing tips. Registration is free.