ANTHONY Raga started strong in the Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball elementary division with a close win over Harley Gonzales yesterday at the E-Mall activity center.

Raga fought Gonzales to 4-4 before coming up big in the deciding rack for a close 5-4 win to stay in the hunt for the P5,000 top purse in the division.

Jomar Malait also started with a victory as he ousted Eugenio Alferez, 5-4, in the elementary division.

Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

In the high school contest, Mark Vincent Doria waylaid Gerwin Bathan, 5-2, while Jerson Cumayas eked a close 5-4 win over Alfie John Montano, in his debut in the high school contest.

Cumayas, who is also a chess player, surprised the field last year after winning the elementary title barely two years after picking up the sport.

The elimination round of the elementary and high school contest will wind up today, while the Class B players will have their turn on Nov. 9 and 11.

The Class A players, which will include defending champion Gandy Valle, will have their shot on Nov. 13 and 14.

The finals for all the divisions will be on Nov. 15.

The 2009 Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge offers close to P300,000 in prizes and is backed by E-Mall, RCTV36, Red Tag, Parklane Hotel, Chris Sports, Robson, You.C1000 Health Drink and Nature’s Spring.