Beauteous cue artist fulfills dream

She used to watch her father play billiards with his friend and at age 12 began playing the sport herself, dreaming of winning honors for the Philippines in big tournaments someday.

Two nights ago, Rubilen Amit realized her dream in a five-hour marathon duel for the women’s 8-ball pool singles gold, beating Hoe Shu Wah of Singapore, 9-6, in the 23rd South East Asian Games.

But victory didn’t come easy to the 24-year old Amit as she needed to hurdle two tough opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals, and went through an excruciating game of nifty safeties in the race-to-nine finals that lasted close to midnight.

Amit first disposed of Thailand’s Vuthidhan Kongkaket in the quarterfinals, 9-3, and got a big scare in the semifinals from another Singaporean, Charlene Chai Zeet Huey before pulling off a 9-7 victory in nearly three hours.

"I’m so happy because playing for the country is my dream, what more if you win," said Amit, a Universtiy of Santo Tomas accounting graduate.

A small but appreciative crowd that included her own father Bobby watched as Amit booked a place in SEAG history as the first woman gold medalist in billiards at the Makati Coliseum.

"What happened was she (Hoe Shu Wah) was always going for safeties to prevent me from scoring, so I had to make sure of my moves, because it is very risky, one poor shot may cause me the match," said Amit.

"I didn’t expect it. The support of our countrymen played a big factor because they really inspire you," said Amit, whose first choice in sports is actually basketball.

Aristeo "Puch" Puyat of Philippine Billiards, as well as Ernesto Fajardo, president of Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines were on hand to witness the awarding.

"I am very thankful to Mr. Puyat, He helped us in our training and entered us in various competitions aside from giving monetary considerations," said Amit.

In the Philippine Open in Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City, Amit landed in the top 32, and had the opportunity to play with top-caliber male billiards players like Ronato Alcano, who defeated her during the eliminations, 9-7.