TAYTAY darter Lourence Ilagan became the first Filipino international darts champion by edging countryman Christian Perez of Koronadal in the World Soft Tip 2013 grand finals in Hong Kong on Sunday.
The event was held over eight stages in one year with darters vying in three or more of the stages and making it to the top 100 based on points to qualify for the grand finals.
Ilagan, a mainstay of Team One Phils, has represented the country in various international tournaments abroad.
Ilagan and Perez also carried the Philippine colors twice in the world darts championships in London, England, and Germany.
Ilagan won two stages overall – stage 5 held in Hong Kong and stage 6 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Perez of Robson Sportscraft was also the losing finalist last year.
Aside from finishing 1-2 in the singles event of the grand finals, the Philippine team composed of Ilagan, Perez, Ronald Briones, and Alain Abiabi also topped the all-nations point ranking event.
The Filipino darters wound up ahead of Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Players from 17 countries competed in the grand finals.
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