CEBU’S brightest cue slinger Anton Raga continued his dominance on his home soil as he topped the 2015 Mayor Aljun Diamante Open 10-Ball Championship at the Cebu Technological University (CTU)-Tuburan Campus last Friday.
Raga survived a thrilling match with double world champion Ronnie “The Volcano” Alcano, 11-10, to pocket the top prize of P100,000.
It was a tournament that the Tuburanons have never witnessed before and was graced by the pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, who came directly to Cebu shortly after arriving from Singapore SEA Games last Thursday.
“Although I am not really a fan of billiards, seeing my constituents happy also bring happiness in me. I won’t mind spending my own money as long as it will give the young kids something to look forward to,” Mayor Diamante said.
Diamante has championed the cause of Tuburan athletes in all competitions and also spent his own money for the training, incentives and transportation of the athletes.
“I chose no one. Our baseball team that qualified for the Palarong Pambansa has the son of the former mayor who happens to be a political rival but what mattered is the kind of support that the kids get from me. My support (to sports in Tuburan) knows no limit, personality or affinity,” Diamante said.
On his way to the championship, Raga defeated Ronnie Aying, 8-7, Leonardo Didal, 9-5, and Reyner Espejo, 10-4. Alcano defeated Ricky Zerna, Dante Razalan and Shan Mark Malayan.