Cerna pockets jr pool crown

MANILA, Philippines - John Carlo Cerna of Pasay City held off Zoren Bantayan of San Pedro, Laguna, 11-6, to top the third Philippine Juniors Pool Championship at the Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City last Sunday.

Cerna upended fancied Jonas Magpantay, 9-6, in the crossover semifinal round then thwarted Bantayan to pocket the top purse of P50,000 in the event for boys’ 19-year-old and below. He also earned the right to represent the country in the WPA Junior’s World 9-Ball Championships in November in Managua, Nicaragua even as he gained a slot in the WPA World Ten Ball Championships also slated in late November in Cebu City.

Bantayan, who beat Jestoni Magadia of Cebu, 9-4, in the other semis duel, settled for runner-up honors worth P25,000.

The other top finishers were Ricky Puro of Cebu, Ken Escano of Laguna, Raymond Eborda of Pasay and John Kevin Serdan of Bula, Camarines, Sur.