Sunday, June 7, 2009

Rubilen Amit & Gillian Go: History Made at Women's World 10 Ball Championship!


Bingkay and Gillian, my friends on and off the pool world, you did good! Truth be told, you amazed each and every fan of the cue sport with what you just accomplished! Simply put, ‘twas historical!


Gillian – you are now in the books - the youngest qualifier ever in a world championship - at 11 years old! The Darling of the Crowd, you broke into the single-elimination round with flair - winning two of your last two matches on the last day of the eliminations to enter the next round! Moreover, you stood stall by being in the upper half of the board at the end of the tour! Awesome feat!


Bingkay – you just made history! Do you realize what you have just done, pamangkin? You are now the 1st women’s World 10-Ball champion! But more importantly, YOU ARE the 1st Filipina world champion! That is absolute coolness in my book! That is IMMORTALITY!

Gillian Go GraphicI remember your parents, Gillian, initially hesitant pang sumali sa event. I told em, do it – it’s a world championship! Please do it for experience. Do it for her (Gillian). For her own good – this will serve her well in the future. And look! You made us all proud! Proud to be pool players! Proud to be Pinoy! Bingkay, I remember the anxieties before the tour. As if a whisper, you uttered, “Tito, sana manalo.” I replied, “Have fun. Take one game at a time. And pray. If anyone can do it, ikaw yun! Home court tayo, iha!”

Both of you may not know it nor feel such, but you are now pool's newest sensations! With so many front page stories on the sports section of our local dailies, as well as countless interviews on television, every man, woman, and child will dream of becoming like you! Every family would want to have daughters like you! And that is the honest truth!

Both of you represented us all, e.g., BDN, EPT, MAPPA, and more! You represented your family. And both of you did it for yourself, too. But most of all, both of you represented the best of Philippine pool! And to do it with class and style!

Bingkay – you are now on top of the world! You are now a world champion! Gillian - believe you me, as I have told your Dad and Mom, you will become champion someday. Both of you have it in you to become great champions! I know I’ve said it before, but please allow me to say it again, both of you have it in you to be the greatest of them all, my friends!

Just continue your love for the game and the passion to win! Most importantly, continue to walk with your head up high but with both feet on the ground. Study the game well – treating it as an everyday lesson. Always play well. And have fun doing so!

Again, many thanks to both of you, to your respective moms and dads, and to your coach and my good friend, Edgard “Boyet” Asonto, for accomplishing the historic feats! I will never forget! WE WILL NEVER FORGET – EVER! Galing! And I kid you not!




"Always historic firsts with The AnitoKid!"


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Rubilen Bingkay Amit Wins Women's World 10 Ball Championship!

Rubilen Amit GraphicWomen’s World 10 Ball Championship Update:


The Philippines can now claim to be a force in women's pool as well as men's, now that Filipina Rubilen Amit has captured the JBETpoker.net Women's World 10-Ball Championship. After 5 days of hard fought play with 48 women from around the world, the dust settled with only Amit standing. But Rubilen Amit, aka Bingkay, was certainly not the favorite when the final day started with more experienced players from Japan, Taiwan, and Austria in the mix.

The first semi-final would be Rubilen Amit versus Akimi Kajitani of Japan. The match was scheduled live for TV at 2pm, but the arena at SM Mall North Edsa was already packed with every seat filled 3 hours before the tournament would even start. Kajitani would by far be the more experienced player placing 3rd in two world championships and has been a stable top women's player in Asia for a decade.

Kajitani's first shot of the match was a low percentage long 5 ball with the cue ball near frozen to the rail and she fired it in and forced followed for position to come back up table. She then had a tough cut on the 6ball which she made and than ran out. This seemed like a good indication Kajitani was going to be tough. Kajitani won the next game playing strong and built a 2-0 lead, and then finally showed weakness when she missed a 7ball to make it 3-0. This was the air Amit needed and she took the game and from there Kajitani kept a 1 game lead till 3-3. Then Amit took the lead at 4-3, but lost it again at 5-4. But with the crowd behind her, it fueled Amit to surge forward. Though both players were not playing stellar pool, Amit was solid enough to win the match 9-6 and make it to her second world championship finals appearance.

"This event has been amazing. The stands were already packed and every seat taken as soon as the mall opened at 10am. They have been waiting here for hours. I've never seen this at even the men's world championships" commented Anthony Suntay, one of Asia's top sportscasters for television.


Rubilen Amit ImageThe second semi-finals had crowd favorite Jasmin Ouschan up against the most experienced player of perhaps the entire championship, Taiwan's Shin Mei Liu, a 2x World Champion. Ouschan was clearly hungry to be crowned The World Champion. The night before in perhaps the best played match of the event, Ouschan won a tight 9-7 victory over Yu Ram Cha (KOR) and screamed a victory roar with a giant fist pump in the air.

In the semi, Ouschan came out strong with a 2-0 lead. but gave Liu a chance to keep it close, which she did. In a match filled with errors and several opportunities to both players, the score see-sawed until 6-6. Liu had looked nervous the entire match, and even the night before in the quarter finals gained much needed luck after a miss on an easy 8-ball at hill hill with Kelly Fisher but left her a hard 8-ball which gave Liu the eventual win.

Ouschan was visibly distraught during the match as she was watching her chance to win the gold slipping away. Liu took the lead after another mistake from Jasmin and trailing at 7-6, Jasmin did the unthinkable and missed with ball in hand after a Liu foul. The normally stoic and stone faced Ouschan looked like she was on the verge of tears as she watched Liu run out for a 8-6 lead.


After a much needed bathroom break, Ouschan returned but again missed a opportunity to run an open table and Liu finished off the rack with a 9-6 win. The young 22 year old Ouschan would have to settle for bronze again and wait one more year for her chance.


The Philippines couldn't ask for a better finals match-up. Taiwan versus the Philippines, the biggest rivals in all of Asia, perhaps the entire world between two countries. Rubilen Amit, the shy and soft spoken short Filipina looking for her first big win. And on the other side Shin Mei Liu, the most dominating woman's player in all of Asia with two world championships already under her belt.


"Look at this place! There hasn't been an empty seat here all week" said Jay Helfert, Co-Director of the Women's World 10-Ball and expert billiards analyst. "Dragon Promotions doesn't just do a tournament, they put on a real show. This field is strong, the playing conditions are good, and the play has been high level. It's been a great tournament. Whoever leaves here with the win really deserves to be the World Champion."


"There was 1500 fans in the amphitheatre watching yesterday, and over in the TV arena we had over 1000 people. So there was some concern on where everyone would fit for the final day when we would only be down to the TV table. The upper levels of the malls are all packed up to the 4th floor, which worked out nicely for us",said Cindy Lee, CEO of Dragon Promotions.

Rubilen Bingkay Amit GraphicAs the players came through the smoke into the arena as the announcer called their names, the fans boomed roars for Amit. In a championship where names like Fisher, Lee, Corr, Cha, Lin, Kim and many others were expected to be at the end, Amit found herself in destiny's shoes again.

The match began with
Shin Mei Liu striking first blood taking the first rack very cleanly. Amit came back with the next rack and then the next taking the lead, never relinquishing it. Liu kept it close at 4-3, but Amit then started pulling away as the crowd became more and more boisterous at the prospect of a Filipina World Champion. Liu was clearly affected by the home crowd as they cheered whenever Liu gave up the table back to Amit.

"When we play in Taiwan, they do the same thing, except over there they literally stand up and give an ovation when a foreigner misses" commented one pro player.

At 8-4 leading, Amit faced a kickshot and called it in the side pocket, which the entire event was played with call shot rules. The cueball went 2 rails and kicked the five ball into the sidepocket to the roar of the fans and Liu sat in her chair smiling as she knew this day was not meant to be for her. Amit ran out to the hill and then broke and ran the final game to dominate 10-4 in the finals and become the first ever Women's World 10-Ball Champion.

"This reminded me of Rocky 4 when he fought the Russian in Moscow. The whole country was behind the Russian, just like the Filipinos were behind Amit. But this time the hometown favorite wins,"observed Charlie Williams, Co-Owner of Dragon Promotions and top pro player.

The matches were all aired live on ABS-CBN's Studio 23 nationwide, The Filipino Channel worldwide, and ESPN Star Sports throughout Asia. The event was scheduled to end at 6pm, but went past 2.5 hours until 830pm. But the TV networks didn't mind at all.

"Dragon Promotions did an excellent job marketing and producing the event. It's been more than a home run and surpassed our expectations. What a debut!" commented Peter Musgni, VP of ABS-CBN Sports.

"This is truly big for the Philippines and for billiards. This win will also inspire many new talents, just like Reyes did when he won the World Championship. I really want to thank Dragon Promotions for coming here and making this possible in the Philippines" said Aristeo Puyat in a small speech to the press. Puyat is known as the Godfather of Pool in the Philippines managing players such as Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Alex Pagulayan, and Rubilen Amit.

"I am very grateful to all the sponsors of the event and Puyat Sports for managing me. Of course I thank Dragon Promotions for making this event. I really hope I get invited to more international tournaments, especially in America where I always have dreamed to go" said Rubilen Amit.


*The historic event drew unprecedented media coverage for women's billiards. It is considered to be the biggest women's sporting event of the year for the Philippines, and one of the biggest in Asia as it draws massive media attention with 40 hours of match coverage going to over 40 countries with 20 hours live on ESPN and equally in its local partner ABS-CBN, the leading TV channel of the Philippines.

The historic event is supported by JBETpoker.net, ABS-CBN, SM Mall North Edsa, Magic 89.9, Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Predator Cues, Takini Cloth, Puyat Sports, Philippines Star, Bugsy Promotions and recognized by the BMPAP.



Congratulatons, Bingkay!
The 1st World 10-Ball Champion
and
the 1st Filipina World Champion!




"The AnitoKid is all out for Bingkay!"


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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Gillian Go in Philippine Star Newspaper: Post on World 10 Ball Championship!

Gillian Go GraphicWomen’s World 10 Ball Championship Update:

Here is a very good read on billiards’ newest sensation, Gillian Go! The article was written by Joey Villar and was first published in the Philippine Star newspaper. Enjoy!

*Credits for the article all go to Joey Villar and the Philippine Star.


RP pool phenom hurdles top Australian
By Joey Villar

Young Gillian Go marked her debut on the international pool stage with a shocking 5-3 victory over Australian No.1 Lyndall Hulley as she joined the early leaders in the JBETpoker.net Women’s World 10-Ball Championship at the Sky Dome of SM City North Edsa in Quezon City yesterday.

Go, who survived the grueling qualifying stage to gain a spot in the $75,000 event, overcame jitters then flashed superb shot-making and positional skills rarely seen in an 11-year-old competitor. She took the last two racks to shatter a 3-all count for the victory.

“I was nervous at first because this is my first international tournament,” said Go, who missed some easy shots in the early going but recovered her bearing in time to turn back her stunned Aussie rival.

“I started to feel it as the game progresses, I started to relax,” said Go, an incoming Grade 6 student at Jubilee Christian Academy in Quezon City.

The victory put the Filipina bet in the early lead in Group 5 along with Taiwanese Liu Shin-mei, who blanked American Tina Meraglio, 5-0, in the tournament presented by Dragon Promotions in cooperation with JBETpoker.net.

RP mainstay and qualifier Mary Ann Basas also hurdled her opening-day match, blasting Japanese Akimi Kajitani, 5-1, to share the early lead in Group 4 with Irish Julie Kelly and American Sarah Rousey. Kelly beat Chou Chieh-yu of Chinese-Taipei, 5-2, while Rousey won over Amalia Matas of Spain, 5-2.

But the two other local bets – Zara del Rosario and Nina Pangilinan – fumbled as they took a pair of 0-5 losses to their respective rivals.

Del Rosario, a 30-year-old Chicago-based Fil-Am, bowed to Taiwanese Lin Yuan-chun in Group 2, while Pangilinan, a wildcard entry, lost to Grace Nakamura-Bobcock of Canada in Group 1.

RP No. 1 Rubilen Amit also lost to Kelly Fisher of England, 1-5, but bounced back with a 5-1 win over Chou Cheih Yu of Chinese Taipei to stay in contention.

RP bet Mica Claveria edged Eunji Park of Korea, 5-3, to likewise boost her stock while Iris Ranola fell to Tamara Rademakers of the Netherlands, 2-5.

In other matches, former world No.1 Allison Fisher of England subdued Kristi Carter of the US, 5-2; Verokika Hubrtova edged Apsra Punhoo of South Africa, 5-4; Angeline Ticoalu of Indonesia squeaked past Kim Jones of the USA, 5-4; Tan Hsiang-ling of Chinese-Taipei slipped past Chichro Kawahara of Japan, 5-4, Estelle Bijnen of the Netherlands trounced Yukiko Oi of Japan, 5-1; and Miyuki Fuke of Japan whipped compatriot Akio Ohtani, 5-2.

Go, who pleaded her father Carlos to teach her the sport at age five after watching pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes play in a mall, had a number of glaring miscues, including an easy corner shot on No. 10 in the third rack with the match tied at one.

But Hulley, the best pool player Down Under, also missed on her turn, enabling the Filipina to take the rack and the lead.

Go kept the pressure and took a 3-1 lead but Hulley battled back to sweep the next two racks and draw level.

A Hulley scratch and a faulty shot on an easy corner shot on the black 8 enabled Go to wrest a 4-3 lead.

Go committed another error after her loose, black shirt touched the five-ball while attempting a shot.

But the Aussie failed to cash in on her chances and twice missed on combinations, including on the 4-8, allowing Go to steal the rack and the win.

The top four players in each of the eight groups will advance to the knockout stage in the Last 32 of the event backed by The Philippine STAR, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, ABS-CBN, SM Mall North Edsa, Magic 89.9, Predator Cues, Takini Billiard Cloth, Aramith, Puyat Sports, and Bugsy Promotions and recognized by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines.




"The AnitoKid roots for Gillian Go!"


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Gillian Go & Mary Ann Basas at Women's World 10 Ball Championship!

Gillian Go GraphicWomen’s World 10 Ball Championship Update:

The Philippines may have new stars on the horizon as Mary Ann Basas and Gillian Go surprised their international champions in the first day of play at the JBETpoker.net Women's World 10-Ball Championship.

On the other side, Filipina favorites Iris Ranola, a 2nd place finisher at the US Open, lost to Korea's Yun Mi Lim 5-3 while SEA Games Gold Medalist Rublien Amit fell to World #1 Kelly Fisher 5-1. Newbie Fil-Ams Zarah Delrosario and Shanelle Loraine both suffered 5-0 defeats against World Champion Yuan Chun Lin and favorite Jeanette Lee.

Mary Ann Basas, who won a qualifier, faced multi-national Japan champion Akimi Kajitani. Basas kept Kajitani at bay helpless as she cruised to a 5-1 victory. Gillian Go, the 11 year old prodigy, gave Australian #1 Lyndall Hulley all she can handle with a 5-3 win. Go has become the darling of the event with her brave play at an astoundingly young age.

"Even the 11-year old girl here has a chance at the title!" said Jeanette Lee during an interview with the press.

Korea's top bet to win Yu Ram Cha, ranked 5th in the world, fell to France's Dos Santos 5-1 in a poor performance by the South Korean. Jasmin Ouschan lost a 5-2 match to Taiwan's Tan.

All the Filipina players are still in action as there are two days more of round robin play. Indeed, the Philippine flag looks good so far to advance to the latter stages of the event! And I kid you not!





"Lady luck is synonymous with The AnitoKid!"


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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Shin Mei Liu, Taiwan Players Rule 1st Day of World 10 Ball Championship!

Shin Mei Liu GraphicWomen’s World 10 Ball Championship Update:

The Taiwanese were picked as top bets from the beginning, and Day 1 showed no indication of that changing this week. Taiwan sent a strong contingent of women to the Jbetpoker.net Women's World 10-Ball Championship including Shin Mei Liu, Hsian Ling Tan, Su I Yu, Yuan Chun Lin, and Chieh Yu Chou. All five women have strong accomplishments to their name and all went undefeated on Day 1 of the round robin group stages.

Shin Mei Liu, a 2x World Champion, handled her USA opponent Meraglio 5-0 while Lin also whitewashed newbie amateur Filipina Zarah Delrosario 5-0. Chou introduced USA's Sarah Rousey to Taiwanese pool with a 5-2 beating, while Tan completely outclassed Austria's Champion Jasmin Ouschan 5-2 on the TV table. Ouschan had also been feeling sick the day before and the day of the match. "I've never seen Tan before, but she looks like a level up from Ouschan, which is incredible!” commented Bob Guerrero.

The closest match the Taiwanese had was Su I Yu versus my friend, Mica Claveria. Both players won a qualifier, and Yu raced to a 4-0 lead on the TV table. With a packed audience rooting for her, Mica climbed back to a 4-4 tie but fell in the last game when she made an amazing bank shot but scratched.

The Taiwan women will be a sure bet to reach the final four of the event on the last day June 6, 2009. But truth be told, there will be a Filipina waiting on the other side! And I kid you not!





"Billiards is always exciting with The AnitoKid!"


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Shanelle Loraine vs. Jeanette Lee Live at Women's World 10 Ball Championship!

Shanelle Loraine GraphicWomen’s World 10 Ball Championship Update:

The group pairings have been determined as the women's greatest cue artists get ready to kickoff at the JBETpoker.net Women's World 10-Ball Championship. The top 16 players in the event were seeded and separated into the 8 groups, with the rest of the field divided into the remaining slots by countries and random draw.

Some marquee match-ups on June 2, 2009 include European Champion Jasmin Ouschan versus Asian Games Gold Medalist Hsiang-Ling Tan of Taiwan. Korean Champion and #5 in the world Yu Ram Cha will face former European Champion Laetetia Dos Santos. The showdown of beauties will feature Black Widow Jeanette Lee (USA) vs Shanelle Loraine (GUAM). These matches will air live today on ABS-CBN's Studio 23 and ESPN Star Sports! And I kid you not!

Filipina Rubilen Amit, a silver medalist at the World 9-Ball Championship, will face the World #1 Kelly Fisher from Great Britain. This will be an exciting match for the Filipino fans and will go on TV live first on June 2, 2009 at 2pm.

Several non-TV matches will be entertaining at the Skydome Amphitheatre at SM Mall North Edsa. Filipina Iris Ranola will take on tough Korean Yun Mi Lim. Fans will be rooting for 11-year old Filipina Gillian Go who faces Australia's #1 Lyndall Hulley. Matches begin at 11am and go on till 9pm tonight. The schedule repeats over the next five days with the finals on June 6.

The championship will be broadcasted to more countries and viewers than any other women's event in the history of billiards. ABS-CBN and ESPN Star Sports conglomerate will combine 20 hours of live coverage and 20 hours of taped matches. The event takes place in Manila, Philippines at the SM Mall North Edsa June 2-6,2009.

Forty eight top women pros from around the world will vie for gold to become the Women's World 10-Ball Champion. The historic event is supported by JBETpoker.net, ABS-CBN, SM Mall North Edsa, Magic 89.9, Predator Cues, Takini Cloth, Puyat Sports, Philippines Star, Bugsy Promotions and recognized by the BMPAP.




"Pinoy pool players are always lucky with The AnitoKid!"


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