Jonas Magpantay won the Manny Pacquiao International 10-Ball Open in his native Philippines, dismantling Michael Baoanan 10-3 in the final to secure the lucrative $40,000 top prize.
The Quezon City cueist emerged supreme in a 160-player field containing plenty of household names, with the tournament held at Robinsons Place in Manila, which has previously hosted the World Cup of Pool.
Magpantay said on social media afterwards: “All the battles I fought, I always lost. I can’t count on my hands how many times I’ve been defeated. Someone else is mocking but I didn’t plant any hatred in them, instead I made them a motivation.
“I told myself I won’t post until I become a champion and here it is. Finally I became a champion. I thought it was a dream that will remain a dream and next time I promise to myself that I will be a world champion one day.”
The Silent Killer beat Assis Tadique 9-6 in the semi-finals, having battled through a deciding rack in his quarter-final victory over World Cup of Pool champion James Aranas.
Magpantay had also beaten Jeffrey Ignacio in a hill-hill affair earlier in the tournament, and recorded wins over Meynard Tipawan and Jake Alunsagay.
Baoanan, meanwhile, defeated European Open runner-up Anton Raga in the semi-finals, having dethroned defending champion Calil Ramber, who had beaten the legendary Carlo Biado earlier in the tournament.
Baoanan seals $10,000 for his efforts, although it was Magpantay who sealed the biggest accolade of his career.
