14-year-old boy stuns veteran cue artist

CEBU CITY, Philippines - Will 14-year-old Diondel Raga be the next billiard sensation? Taga showed that aside from the skills, he can handle pressure as well as he shocked other cue artists and billiard fanatics when he upset the 2008 Kyoto 9-Ball Open champion Dondon Razalan, 7-6, in their neck-to-neck battle, Wednesday in the elimination round of the Open Division of the 1st Senate President Manny Villar Cup–Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge at the Trade Hall of SM City Cebu. Raga had an early lead over his 34-year-old opponent when he won the first three racks before Ralazan fought back, using a two-nine combination to get on board. A missed shot by Razalan allowed Raga to move 4-1 before Razalan used all his experience as he tried hard not to be defeated by a player 20 years his junior to even the match at six all. However, it was the closest he could get as Raga took the next rack for his scintillating win. Raga, a resident of Tabunok, is a billiard player for the Negros Billiard Stable and has played the game since he was eight years old. Meanwhile, Marvin Gentapa effortlessly prevailed against Mark Pacheco 7-1 to keep his bid to join the elite players alive. Gentapa is a former champion in the elementary and the high school Division. He also made a name for himself when he defeated former world champion Alex Pagulayan in their round robin match of the recent Magnificent 7 9-Ball Billiard Invitational Tournament. In other games of the elimination round, Rey Grandea edged Edison Heresilles, 7-4; Mike Takayama defeated Class B third placer Nicolas Arriba, 7-4; John Limuel Rebong trampled Jonathan Dela Cruz, 7-1; Eduardo Villanueva crushed Danny Potot, 7-1; Jomel Sultan overpowered Joel Malaki, 7-2; Chiong Ortiz was victorious against Roldan Tolentino, 7-2; Joey Paradales defeated Bebien Jabien, 7-3; Jay Ryan Cimafranca overwhelmed Odd Ivan Kristensven, 7-3; Sean Mark Malayan triumphed over Abraham Rojo, 7-4; Jun Caro conquered Bernard Marbella, 7-3; Kirby Ybañez was successful against Andres Aboy, 7-3. Meanwhile, Bayani Portallo and Antonio Cose are set to clash in the championship of the Class B Division after they won their respective matches in the semifinals the other day. Portallo whitewashed Alfred Papa, 7-0, while Cose defeated Arriba, 7-4. Arriba got third place after he dominated Papa, 7-2. - Sun.Star Cebu