John Carlo Cerna of Pasay City turned back Zoren Bantayan of San Pedro, Laguna, 11-6, in the finals to rules the just concluded Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) 3rd Philippine Juniors Pool Championship for Boys 19 year old and below on Sunday at the famous Star Billiards Center No.46 Joy St. in Grace Village, Quezon City.
Cerna pocketed the P50,000 prize money, and earn the right to represent the country in this year's WPA Junior's World 9-Ball Championships on November 4 to 8 in Managua, Nicaragua plus a slot in the 2009 WPA World Ten Ball Championships on November 21 to 29 in Cebu City, in the three-day event hosted and organized by the BSCP headed by president Sebastian "Baste" Chua and chairman Florentino "Yen" Makabenta in close cooperation with Raya Sports and Star Billiards.
“My hard work was paid off,” said Cerna, who beat tournament favorite Jonas Magpantay, 9-6, in the cross-over semifinal round.
“At last i made it,” added Cerna, known as “Putong” in the local pool circuit.
In the 1st Philippine Juniors Pool Championship in 2007, Cerna make it to the top four. He made better on that finish last year when he lost to Jerico Banares in the finals.
Bantayan, meanwhile went home with the runner-up prize of P25,000 for his effort. Bantayan needed to beat Jestoni Magadia of Cebu, 9-4, in another semifinal duel to forge the title showdown with Cerna.
Rounding to the top eight (8) finishers were Ricky Puro of Cebu, Ken Escano of Laguna, Raymond Eborda of Pasay and John Kevin Serdan of Bula, Camarines, Sur playing under the guidance of sportsman Manny Alfelor.
Cerna wins Philippine Junior Championship
July 13, 2009