| |
|
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-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sampson Lewkowicz: Boxing’s Picasso By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026BARRY HEARN OBE TO FUND 10 BRAND NEW APPRENTICESHIP ROLES THANKS TO MATCHROOM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND COACH CORE , Wed, 03 Jun 2026Olongapo to host National Age Group Chess Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026JOSEPH "JOJO" DIAZ EAGER TO REVIVE CAREER AHEAD OF JUNE 19 SHOWDOWN WITH "H2O" SYLVE , Wed, 03 Jun 2026Charly Suarez is my idol - Jhon Lowie Lastimosa By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026Josh “The Hammer” Popper: From Holy Spirit to a Heavyweight Headline at the Tropicana , Wed, 03 Jun 2026600 athletes expected in 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo tourney By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026Dagestan rivalry set to ignite Moscow: Khalidov and Yallyev clash on stacked IBA PRO 19 card , Wed, 03 Jun 2026Deep Waters rules inaugural WR Bughouse Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 02 Jun 2026HE TURKI ALALSHIKH: 'AJ vs PRENGA IN JEDDAH REINFORCES SAUDI ARABIA'S POSITION AS DESTINATION FOR WORLD'S LEADING EVENTS' , Tue, 02 Jun 2026ANTHONY JOSHUA VS KRISTIAN PRENGA TO TAKE PLACE IN JEDDAH ON JULY 25 – LIVE ON DAZN – AS HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF IN LONDON , Tue, 02 Jun 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Gets a kick out of British sports fans , Tue, 02 Jun 2026GUSTAVO TRUJILLO CONTINUES HEAVYWEIGHT ASCENT WITH DEVASTATING FIRST-ROUND TKO , Mon, 01 Jun 2026Boxing Insider Promotions Brings Regional Card to Tropicana Atlantic City on Saturday, June 13 , Mon, 01 Jun 2026Chess, in whatever form, is a great equalizer By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026UNBEATEN CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE RETURNS TO FACE JING AGUAN IN A LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT HEADLINING SANMAN 101 , Mon, 01 Jun 2026Lebosada, Sia rule DSA Open golf By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026Davao Chess Eagles in FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz in Hong Kong By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026Pido retains crown, Pulleda wins By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026Juarez defeats Valle by split decision to retain WBC belt in El Paso,Texas By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026Jose Sulaiman's 95th birthday is being celebrated with events around the world By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan is now one of the IBF board of directors , Sun, 31 May 2026Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament gets underway By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 May 2026Lieutenant Delfin Boholst: Soldier, Boxing Coach, Mentor By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 30 May 2026O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford: Bad Blood Equals Good Fight By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 30 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|