FRANCIS MATEO pulled off a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Geona Gregorio in the finals of the Makati Pool Players Association (MAPPA) Predator-Wilde Blu 8-Ball Cup Sunday night was held at the AMF-Puyat Superbowl and Billiards Center, Makati Cinema Square in Makati City.

The Dasmariñas City, Cavite bet Mateo, fought back from 1-3 down by winning three straight racks to frustrate Gregorio and complete the stirring victory.

“I did not lose hope despite falling 1-3 because of the winner’s break format. I knew it can turn around the situation,” said Mateo.

Police Staff Sergeant Eric Bayhon, lone Filipino representative in the 2019 Chengdu, China World Police and Fire Games had something to say about the final match.

The race-to-4, 8-ball final match was organized by Makati Pool Players Association headed by it’s president Arvin Arceo and held in cooperation with Bilyarista.com, Pigmentation, Dubshot, Dr. Gab Bermudez, Nelson Salvanera and supported by DMC Entertainment and Production management boss Jesse Gonzales Cambosa Sr. and long-time billiards patron sportsman/businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat who is also the chairman of the Billiards Sports Confederation of the Philippines (BSCP).

In the battle for third and fourth, Paul McCarthy bested Jun Cornista, 4-2.

In the semifinals, Mateo toppled Cornista, 4-3, to arrange a finals date with Gregorio. Gregorio, made it to the finals by defeating McCarthy in the semis, 3-2.

Mateo pocketed the P40,000 top prize and took home the MAPPA trophy while Gregorio went home the runner-up prize of P20,000 plus trophy. McCarthy, on the other hand received P10,000 while Cornista didn’t go home empty-handed satisfied at P6,000.

Makati Pool Players Association headed by it’s president Arvin Arceo, DMC Entertainment and Production management boss Jesse Gonzales Cambosa Sr. and world renowned blogger Leslie “ Anito Kid” Mapugay led the closing rites that includes Mateo and Gregorio. — Marlon Bernardino

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