Friday, June 20, 2008 The Lion starts title defense By Edri K. Aznar Sun.Star Staff Reporter
ALEX Pagulayan will open his title defense today as the main draw of the 1st Senate President Manny Villar Cup-Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge kicks off at the SM City Trade Hall.
Pagulayan, who defeated former champion Antonio Gabica, 13-10, in last year’s finals, opens his campaign against Godofredo Ducanes.
Among the other Class A games today are Warren Kiamco against Johann Chua, Francisco Bustamante against Renember David, Lee Vann Corteza against Ronnie Aying, Dennis Orcullo against Danny Otacan and Efren Reyes against Aram Serquiano.
Meanwhile, in the final day of qualifying for Class A, Eduardo Villanueva routed 2008 Kyoto 9-Ball Open Champion Dondon Razalan, 9-5, to the to 16.Razalan got the first break but no ball went in his shot, allowing Villanueva to seize the opportunity.
Villanueva had it easy as he took the first five racks before Razalan trimmed the lead by the next three racks.
But Razalan’s constant mistakes cost him the game.
A foul on Razalan’s break in the 14th rack gave Villanueva an opening for a run out as he sealed his 9-5 win.
Villanueva earned a slot in the top 16 after winning two matches yesterday, while Razalan still has a chance to redeem himself if he was to win his next match at press time last night.
Villanueva earlier defeated Jomel Sultan, 9-6, while Razalan had an easy victory against Ryan Cimafranca, 9-3.
In the meantime, kid sensation Diondel Raga triumphed over Rey Grandea, 9-6.
Raga again showed his impressive talent in this match as he established dominance in the early going of the match, 6-2, clinching his sixth rack with a golden break.
But the older Grandea rallied and cut down Raga’s lead by only a rack, 7-6.
The 14-year-old then ended the game by running out the last rack after a powerful break.
Earlier, Raga lost to Arturo Publico 6-9. With a second defeat Grandea was eliminated from the tournament. Prior to his match with Raga he was edged by Steve Villamil, 8-9.
In other games of the first round, Jun Caro was victorious against Chiong Ortiz 9-6; Michael Mendez destroyed Emil Martinez, 9-1; Achilles Navarra prevailed against former Sun.Star Superbalita elementary and high school Champion Marvin Gentapa, 9-7; Richard Pornelos conquered Joey Paradales, 9-7; Jech Limen trampled Eljun Abellana, 9-2; William Millares overwhelmed Roldan Tolentino, 9-6; Panfilo Damuag overpowered William Chua, 9-5; 2007 National Juniors Champion Mark Mendoza crushed Egie Geronimo, 9-2; Bernard Tagalog was successful against Rinier Llanto, 9-4; Romar Villones sneaked past John Rebong, 9-8; and Michael Filiciano edged out Mark Malayan, 9-8.
