Cebu’s Amit advances to Last 16 rd of world 10-ball

Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit remained on track for a second world 10-ball crown after the Cebuana billiards ace stormed into the Last 16 of WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) 4th Annual Yalin Women’s World 10-Ball Championship yesterday at the Robinson’s Galleria.

The 29-year-old Amit beat 13-year-old compatriot Cheska Centeno of Zamboanga City, 8-5, in an all Filipino knockout match in the Last 24.

Amit won the first rack but Centeno quickly leveled the count at 1-all then won the third rack before Amit tied the match at 2-all. The talented teenager then won the next two racks for a 4-2 lead.

“May future y’ung bata. Magaling saka may puso sa laro. Kailangan lamang niya ng more exposure sa international competition,” said Amit, who won the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship four years ago.

Because of the winner’s break format, Amit waited for her turn and when it came, she swept the next four racks to grab a 6-4 lead. The Zamboanga City teen fought back to close in at 5-6 but Amit captured the next two racks for the final tally.

Amit will next face L.H. Shan of Chinese-Taipei who topped Group 8 with an unbeaten 5-0 record.

Also in the Last 16 with impressive 5-0 slates are Yu Ram Cha of Korea (Group 1), 2010 World 10-ball queen Jasmin Ouschan of Austria (Group 2), X.T.Pan of China (Group 3), S. M. Chen of China (Group 4) and X.F. Fu of China (Group 5).

Y.T. Chan of Chinese-Taipei made it to the Final 16 after edging Amit in the total number of racks won during their Group 7 match on Wednesday. Chan had 29 racks won against Amit’s 28. The two tallied identical 4-1 records in the group stage. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino