Joshua Ababon and Jerson Cumayas swept their respective foes over the weekend to arrange a titular showdown for the elementary division crown of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg being held at the Trade Hall of SM City in Cebu.
Between the two, it was Ababon who made the louder noise as he dethroned last year's Sunstar Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge champion Adrian Bedua with a 5-2 thrashing in the semifinals.
Cumayas, on the other hand, made it to the finals by trouncing Harley Gonzales, 5-1, in the other final-four duel.
Ababon and Cumayas will fight for the title and the P5,000 top purse on June 22 during the final day of this tournament presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and sponsored by Camella Communities.
A total of 28 players competed in the elementary division of this weeklong event coorganized by Sunstar Superbalita, and supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions and Negros Billiards Stable.
Meanwhile, actions in the High School division also started over the weekend with a total of 32 players vying for the top honor.
Early results had Mhar Sagarino defeated Gerwin Bathan; Jepoy Cañete was victorious against Robert Johnson Nocos; Jeffrey Potanak triumphed over Joed Puesca; Jhun Rey Gabunada succeeded against Reynold Arias; Allan Milan Jr. prevailed against Ram Lalwani; Cyril Gauste beat Jonico Jacob Romblon; Lee Van Labajo overpowered Alfie Montano.
The Class B division starts today, while the qualifying tournaments for the Elite category will begin tomorrow.
Former world champions Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano banner the 64-man field competing for the prestigious Villar Cup and the P400,000 top prize at stake in this island-hopping series sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
After Cebu, Villar Cup will have its third stop in Davao City in August to coincide with the Kadayawan Festival.
