MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines' Rubilen Amit joined an elite group of Filipino world champions after she trounced two-time world titlist Liu Shin Mei of Chinese Taipei, 10-4, last night to rule the 2009 JBETpoker.net Women's World 10-Ball Championship at The Block of the SM North Edsa in Quezon City.
The diminutive Amit, 27, stood the tallest as she slew Liu, the 2006 Doha Asian Games gold medalist who reigned as world 9-ball queen in 1999 and 2004, with her superb shot-making to the delight of the appreciative weekend crowd.
After she sank the final ball, Amit knelt in triumph, got up, hugged Liu and shook hands as confetti fell on them. She became the first 10-ball champion ever in the event, which was a recent addition to the sport.
"Maraming salamat po, kayo ang ang nagpanalo sa akin (Thank you very much. I won because of you)," said Amit, who dedicated her triumph to her parents, patron Puyat Sports, and a certain "Tito Tolits" who recently passed away.
The win by the pocket-sized Filipina earned her a whopping purse of $20,000 while Liu pocketed $9,000.
She took the early initiative in the finals with a 6-3 lead. But Liu threatened, only to suffer a couple of miscues and allow the local favorite to take a 7-4 lead.
The crowd started to cheer loudly after Amit went ahead at 8-4 and louder when she sank a magical, double-rail shot on the No. 5 to reach the hill. It was all Amit in what proved to be the tournament’s final rack.
It was Amit's first international victory since falling short in the 2007 Amway World Women's 9-Ball Championship in Chinese Taipei where she finished second.
"I didn't expect to win. I only realized I won when I sank the final ball," said Amit, a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist including a pair in the 2005 Manila Games.
More importantly, Amit joined the ranks of countrymen Efren "Bata" Reyes, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, who have won world titles in 9-ball and 8-ball.
Reyes, adored by many because of his skills and humble demeanor, won the 9-ball title in 1999 and 8-ball in 2004, Alcano the 9-ball and 8-ball titles in 2006 and 2007, respectively, and Pagulayan the 9-ball plum in 2004.
"It feels great being in that company," said Amit, who is now 2-1 in her head-to-head duel with Liu.
Earlier, Amit broke out of a close game by hitting the shots that mattered most to overcome a tough Akimi Kajitani of Japan, 9-6, in the semifinals.
Amit made it this far by trouncing a heavily favored Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee of the United States in a nerve-wracking 9-8 hill-hill quarterfinal victory late Friday.
Before that, the Cebu-born, Taguig-based Amit downed Julie Kelly of Ireland, 8-4, and Tan Hsiang Ling of Chinese Taipei, 8-3, in the first two rounds of the knockout phase also Friday.
It was her eighth straight triumph since opening her campaign with a 1-5 setback to world No. 1 Kelly Fisher of England, who was booted out in the quarters by Liu in another hill-hill win, 9-8.
Liu then humbled former many-time European 9-ball, 8-ball and straight pool champion Jasmine Ouschan of Austria, 9-6, in the semifinals to set up an interesting finale with Amit.
Kajitani advanced after stunning tournament top seed Karen Corr of Ireland, 9-7, in the quarters while Ouschan barge into the semis by turning back 18-year-old Korean beauty World No. 5 Yu Ram Cha, 9-7.
The two losing semifinalists will take home $5,000 each, while those who will made it to the quarterfinals won $3,000 each. The ninth to 16th placers will receive $1,500, while the 17th to 24th placers will get $1,000.
The Philippine STAR, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, SM Mall North Edsa, Magic 89.9, Predator Cues, Takini Billiard Cloth, Aramith, Studio 23, Bugsy Promotions and Puyat Sports supported the event.