Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 28 Apr 2025
Anton “The Dragon” Raga was at his best when he won the ₱400,000 cash prize + Sharks Billiard Association (SBA) Philippine Open 2025 trophy in the race-to-13 championship match vs Jerico “Panday” Bañares.
Raga defeated Banares, 13-7, in the pool tournament held from April 25-27, 2025 at the Sharks Arena and Sports Bar, Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
The championship match was a display of elite precision, grit, and nerves of steel as Raga edged out Bañares, who fought valiantly but fell short in the final racks.
"I would like to dedicate my victory to my family, my friends, my supporters and to God,' said Raga.
With the crowd on their feet and viewers watching via live PTV broadcast, the match stood as a testament to the rising standard of Philippine billiards.
“This isn’t just a tournament win — it’s a statement,” said SBA Commissioner and Founder Hadley Mariano. “The Philippine Open was designed to raise the bar and discover the next generation of champions, and tonight, we witnessed that vision come to life.
Your SBA Philippine Open 2025 Champion is Anton 'The Dragon' Raga! The road was long, the games were tough, but the win was well-earned," he added.
The qualification phase was held from April 21–24, 2025 at the CueHub Billiards Sports Bar & Lounge, Visayas Ave, Quezon City.-Marlon Bernardino-
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