Jonas Magpantay of Quezon City stamped his class in the local billiards scene after capturing the Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer 10-Ball title, defeating Jollan Sabile of Davao City in the finals held at Cycle Hub Sports Bar & Cafe in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on May 5.
Known as the “Silent Killer,” Magpantay scored a 10-9 victory over Sabile to bag the P300,000 top purse in the 10-ball tournament held coinciding the birthday celebration of Ferrer, jointly organized by Janse Amisola and Daboy Apuhin, and supervised by Vicente “Butch” Firmeza.
“I would like to dedicate my victory to my family, my relatives, my friends, my sponsors, and to God,” said the 32-year-old Magpantay, who hails from Bansud, Oriental Mindoro.
Sabile, on the other hand, received P150,000 for his efforts.
Magpantay defeated Anton Raga of Cebu, 9-4, in the semifinal round to arrange a title showdown with Sabile, who brought down Michael Feliciano of Bacolod City, 9-8, in the other Final Four match.
Losing semifinalists Raga and Feliciano received P50,000 each.
Magpantay, who is supported by MSW, Konllen, and Team Baccarat subdued George Dolor, 9-8, in the Round-of-16, then stunned Alexis “Pugtit” Ferrer, 9-4, in the Round-of-8.
“He really got the nerve, steady mind and hand, a true silent but deadly champ in the pool ball,” said IIEE National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez.
Magpantay won the Qatar 10-Ball World Cup last November, after defeating Poland’s Szymon Kural, 13-9, in the championship match held at Ezdan Palace Hotel in Doha, Qatar to take home the $100,000 cash prize.
It was a Cinderella run for Magpantay, who wasn’t even supposed to reach the main draw.
After failing to advance through his four qualifying matches, he only made it to the main bracket through the tournament’s points system.
Given that second chance, Magpantay made sure to prove he belonged.
Magpantay joined the elite group of Filipino world champions in the likes of Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan, Carlo “The Black Tiger” Biado, Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit, and Chezka “The Flash” Centeno.
Magpantay was also a World Junior of Pool quarter finalist (2008 Reno, Nevada, USA), World Junior of Pool quarter finalist (2010 Reno Nevada, USA), Thailand 9 Ball (2019, champion) and General Santos City 10 Ball (2023, champion).* Marlon Bernardino
