Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit of Mandaue City, remained on track for a second world 10-ball crown after the Cebuana billiards ace stormed into the Last 16 of 2011 Yalin World Women’s 10-Ball Championship yesterday at the Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas.
The 29-year-old Amit, playing under the banner of sportsman/businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat reached the Final 16 by posting a 4-1 win-loss card in Group 1 which is composed of six players.
A University of Santo Tomas accounting graduate, Amit of Mandaue City shocked heavyweight Jasmin Ouschan of Austria, 6-2 to top Group 1, the so called “Group of Death.”
Ouschan took the first rack but Amit quickly leveled the count at 1-all then swept the next four racks to reach the hill first, 5-1. Oucshan won the 7th rack before Amit closed the door on her Austrian rival by winning the 8th for the surprisingly easy victory.
“Malakas na player si Jasmin pero nagkataon na maganda ang nilaro natin eh,” said Amit.
Amit, who won the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2009, opened her campaign in sizzling fashion by posting three consecutive wins at the expense of Natalya Seroshtan of Russia (6-2), S. M. Liu of China (6-4) and J. Wu of Chinese-Taipei (6-4).
Amit, who along with pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes won the 2010 world mixed doubles championship, however, hit a snag yesterday morning following a, 3-6 defeat at the hands of Monica Webb of the US.
But the former Makati City call center employee, bounced back with that masterful, 6-2 win over Ouschan in her fifth and final group match to reach the Last 16.
Actually, Amit had the same 5-1 record with Ouschan and Webb but the former took the automatic Last 16 slot with a superior quotient.
Meanwhile, Amit’s Puyat Sports stablemate Iris Ranola is still battling in Group 2 with a 2-1 win-loss card. She is in the same bracket as Filipina-American Mary Rakin who finished with a, 3-2 record.
The tournament stakes a total of $75,000 in prize fund put up by Yalin with the winner getting $20,000 in the Dragon Promotions organized tournament.
This year’s championship attracted 48 of the world’s top women players.