MARK MENDOZA WINS INAUGURAL RP JUNIOR POOL

Mark Aristotle Mendoza lift his cue stick after his triumph





(Left to Right) Sean Mark Malayan, Johann Chua, John Carlo Cerna, Mark Aristotle Mendoza, Senator Richard Gordon, Jordan Legaspi, Alvin Punzalan, Patrick Gonzales and Michael Angelo Mengorio


Photos: courtesy of Cuycuy Makabenta


MANILA, PHILIPPINES---MARK ARISTOTLE "MAC-MAC" MENDOZA won the inaugural Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP)-Magnolia Health Tea Philippine Junior Pool Championship late Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center in Malate, Manila.

The 18-year-old Jolo, Mandaluyong City resident Mendoza, needed one and half hours to beat Jordan Legaspi of Bocaue, Bulacan, 11-3, in the finals to capture the top prize of P50,000. Recently, Mark Mendoza teamed up with Carlo Biado in the country's first-ever SMC Doubles 10-ball and settled for a runner-up finish late Friday at the Metro Walk in Pasig City,

Legaspi on the other hand, received the runner-up place of P25,000 for his effort in this tournament.

Mendoza joins outright seeded player Renemar "Revo" David to represent the country in the forthcoming 2007 World Junior Pool Championship on November 27 to 29 in Willington, Germany. The Barangay Botocan, Quezon City resident David, made it to the round-of-8 in the last year's World Junior Championships in Sydney, Australia.

The three-day Magnolia Health Tea and e-aji-dip snax sponsored event is open to all Males 19-years-old and below attracted 64 cue artists. This tournament is jointly organized by Raya Sports and Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) headed by its president Ernesto Fajardo and chairman Yen Makabenta.

After winning the opening lag, Mendoza took advantage of his powerful break to jump to an early lead in the race-to-11 finals using the winners break format.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Poong Maykapal kasi natupad ang dasal ko po. S'yempre kasama na din nagbunga 'yung paghahanda ko dito," said the young and amiable Mendoza, whose play was inspired by the presence of his father Ferdinand Mendoza, who works as a registered Nurse in Libya.

No less than Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon, Raya Sports and Events president and BSCP chairman Yen Makabenta and BSCP president Ernesto Fajardo led the closing rites.

"Full support tayo sa mga ganitong event kasi itong mga kabataan ang pag-asa ng ating bayan. Sila ang future ng Philippine Billiard," said Senator Gordon, who promised to shoulder the round trip ticket of the two Filipino youth representatives in the 2007 World Junior Pool Championship on November 27-29 in Willington, Germany.

Mendoza's path the finals included wins over Kelvin Larcena, 9-3, Gino Villanueva, 9-4, before yielding to Alvin Punzalan, 9-5, but bounced back in contention by winning his match in the loser's side against Rennel Dugos, 9-6, Bennie Dayrit, 9-7, Patrick Gonzales, 9-7 and a rematch with Punzalan, 9-5, then toppled 2006 Philippine Olympic Festival silver medalist Johann Chua, 11-7, in the cross-over semi-final round.

Legaspi's roads to the finals came from wins over Jech Jech Limen, 9-5, Richard Alinsub, 9-5, before bowing to Romeo Silvano, 9-8, the bested Ken Escano, 9-5, Edison Dollente, 9-5, Arsenio Cenina,9-1, Michael Angelo Mengorio, 9-7, and John Carlo Cerna, 11-7, in other final four match.

Final pay outs: rankings (64 players)
Champion: Mark Aristotle Mendoza (P50,000)
2nd place: Jordan Legaspi (P25,000)
3rd place: John Carlo Cerna (P15,000)
4th place: Johann Chua (P7,500)
5th/6th place: Alvin Punzalan (P4,000) and Sean Mark Malayan (P4,000)
7th/8th place: Michael Angelo Mengorio (P2,000) and Patrick Gonzales (P2,000)

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)