Kiamco nips Villanueva, enters final

Warren Kiamco bucked a sluggish start as he turned back Romeo Villanueva, 13-10, to advance to finals of the first Barcelona Battle for the Gold 9-Ball Challenge tournament Saturday night at the Robinson’s Place in Ermita.

Kiamco, who finished third in the Tokyo 9-Ball International tournament, rallied from a 1-7 deficit by nine of the next 12 games to tie the game at 10-all.

A foul ball called by international arbiter Jojie Acuna on Villanueva, proved to be the turning point for Kiamco’s stirring victory.

"Sa foul ball ni Romeo, yun ang palagay ko eh naging turning point. Palagay ko medyo bumaba na rin yung performance ni (Snooky) Villanueva," said Kiamco, who will face the winner in the Antonio Lining-Lee Van Corteza match this Saturday at the Robinson’s Galleria for the crown.

Villanueva later admitted that he lost his focus after Acuna slapped him with a foul ball. "Nasira talaga ang diskarte ko pagkatapos akong tawagan ng foul ball," said Villanueva, who teamed up with Gandy Valle in winning the gold medal in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games 9-Ball doubles.

"Wala kasi kaming chance mag-warm up so medyo mabagal talaga ang simula ko. Pero ang nasa isip ko, basta mabigyan lang ako ng chance sa winner’s break, makukuha ko rin," said Kiamco.