Cebuana Amit marches into quarterfinal round

MANILA, Philippines — Former world champion Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit of the Philippines yesterday defeated Keiko Yukawa of Japan, 8-4, to earn a spot in the quarterfinal round of the 2011 Yalin World Women’s 10-Ball Championship at the Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas.

Amit, winner of this event two years ago, took a 7-1 advantage before Yukawa swept three straight racks to come to within three, 7-4. But the Mandaue City born Amit avoided any complications to her march to the quarterfinal round by winning the 11th rack.

“Suwerte lamang nakauna tayo,” said the Cebuana pool ace who is playing under the banner of sportsman/businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.

Yukawa earlier ousted defending champion Jasmin Ouschan of Austria, 8-7, in their Last 24 battle.

Amit’s entry into the quarterfinals made up for the early exit of compatriot and Puyat Stable teammate Iris “Fighter” Ranola. The Zamboanga bet Ranola, a former US Open women’s finalist, succumbed to H.S. Lai of Chinese-Taipei, 4-8.

Also advancing to the quarterfinal round were Ga Young Kim of Korea who brought down Line Kjorsvik of Norway, 8-4; S.S.Lui of China who beat Miyuke Fuke of Japan, 8-6;  T.P.Chen of Chinese-Taipei who nipped D.D. Zhou of China, 8-6; H.S. Lai of Chinese-Taipei who outplayed Allison Fisher of Great Britain, 8-4 and Y. Han of China who crushed compatriot X. Chen, 8-6.

Meanwhile, Filipina-American Mary Rakin failed to progress in the knockout round after accumulating a sub-par performance in the group stage.

A total of $ 75,000 in cash being put up by main sponsor Yalin is at stake in the tournament with the winner getting the lion’s share of $20,000. The event is organized by Dragon Promotions in cooperation with Puyat Sports and Star Billiards Center. Matches are aired over ABS-CBN through Studio 23.