Raga, Gariando oust 10-ball aces

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—The future of Philippine billiards looked bright with rising stars like Anthony Raga and Christian Gariando proving their mettle against world-class opposition here.

The 17-year-old Raga produced the first shocker when he ousted defending champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, 9-3, in the morning elimination round of the MP (Manny Pacquiao) Cup 10-Ball Philippine Open yesterday at SM City Mall.

Not to be outdone, Gariando, 25, booted out American top seed Shane Van Boening, 9-3, in their losers’ bracket afternoon knockout duel.

A prized find from Talisay City, Cebu, Raga displayed powerful breaks and calculating counterplay to exact revenge over his opening-round tormentor.

Hohmann beat Raga, 9-4, in Monday’s  inaugurals, but had to claw back into contention after losing to Arnel Bautista in the third day of eliminations.

Van Boening, a three-time US Open champion, bowed to Ronnie Alcano Wednesday, but beat Sean Mark Malayan to forge the encounter with Iloilo’s Gariando, winner of last month’s Boracay Open.

Other losers’ bracket matches being played at press time pitted Raga against Mark Romero, Richard Alinsub versus Arnel Bautista and Baseth Mapandi against Rodney Morris, among others.

Morris was relegated to the losers’ section after losing to legendary 60-year-old Efren “Bata” Reyes Wednesday night.

“I just pounced on his (Hohmann’s) miscues,” said Raga, who boasts several regional 9-ball titles. “I started playing at 10 and have been playing for seven years now, mainly in Cebu.”

Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, who bankrolled the $150,000 tournament which attracted 120 players from 10 countries, beat young Brunei star Ahmad Taufiq Murni with a come-from-behind 9-8 victory, but was booted out by Jomel “Pork Chop” Sultan Thursday.

Other matches still being played at press time included Mark Mendoza against Michael Pesidas, Demosthenes Pulpul against Leo Bayet and Ric Bejen against Renemar David.