CEBU, Philippines – Eugene Managuit became the host’s saving grace as he emerged as the lone Cebuano entry to clinch a championship in the Cebu City Darts Open 2009 over the weekend at the Baseline Sports and Recreation Center.
Managuit along with Ian Perez of Robson-Manila and and Jun Rodriguez of Davao vanquished the equally-tough troika of Bert Lozano of Robson-CDO, Ogie Castillo of Navotas, and Syke Tan of Butuan to rule the three-man team competition.
Roy Laude, on the other hand, fumbled in his gold medal quest as he fell prey to Davao’s Jojo Barcellano in the National Open singles final.
Barcellano edged out Laude of the organizing CEHDA-Cebu City Niños, 5-3, in their race-to-nine titular showdown.
In the triples category, Laude was relegated to fourth together with Mandaue’s Gil Arco and Tacloban’s Manny Go.
Christopher Daclan suffered the same fate as Laude as he bowed to General Santos City’s Epoy Lautengco in the youth singles finale. Cebu’s Rennald Garrido landed third.
Larry Garrido, another CHEDA player who was paired with Cavite ’s Ricky Santiago, also came up with a runner-up finish in the doubles tiff behind Nayr Ocampo of Navotas and Jun Rodrigues of Davao Big 4.
Jerous Ponce of Terton Craft Cebu and Ding Sumulong of Pasay wound up third, while Lito Pepito of Cabreros-Cebu City and Esteban Montenegro of Lola Eats-Cebu wound up fourth.
In the open doubles, Boy Gionson of Navotas and Jake Ubaldo of Big 4 Manila romped off with the crown, while Cebuano Nilo Janson and Louie Soriano of Pier One finished third.
In the fixed 4-man team event, Team Robson Razor composed of Boie Parfan, Bert Lozano, Ian Perez and Ricky Mijares proved too unstoppable for their opponens on the way to snatch the champion’s trophy. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)