Scrappy teener back Amit, cops PNG pool gold

MANILA, Philippines - Billiards prodigy Cheska Centeno, teen archer Ian Chipeco and an obscure cue artist from Teresa, Rizal took the spotlight as action heated up in the PSC-POC Philippine National Games in various venues in the metropolis yesterday.

Centeno, a lean, 13-year-old Zamboanga City native, continued her domination of former many-time SEA Games gold medalist and world women’s 10-ball champion Rubilen Amit, this time scoring a convincing 7-3 win to barge into the gold medal round at the Rizal Pool Hall.

“She said she’s happy to just win,” said Fausto Albert in Filipino, speaking in behalf of her daughter Centeno, who speaks Chabacano but little Filipino.

Centeno earlier nipped Amit in a hill-hill match, 7-6.

Over at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines grounds in Sta. Mesa, Manila, Chipeco, 17, emerged a triple gold medal winner in archery with victories in the Olympic round, qualifying and team events.

“He took up strength coaching and mentoring plus meditation, which helped his focus tremendously,” said Chipeco’s coach Earl Yap.

National women’s billiards team coach Edgar Asonto said Centeno should be included in the Phl squad.

“I was for her (Centeno) inclusion since 2011 until now. If I had my way, she should be in the team if her age will allow it,” he told The STAR.

Centeno clashes with earlier tormentor Irish Ranola, who beat the former, 7-2, Sunday night, in Thursday’s 9-ball finale.

Unknown Macky Lopez, 23, registered the other upset in the pool event after he stunned former World 9-ball champion Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 9-4, in men’s 9-ball.

“It’s a dream come true for me because he (Bustamante) and Bata (Efren Reyes) are my idols,” said Lopez.

Over at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Cagayan trounced University of the Philippines, 25-15, 25-11, 25-15, in women’s volleyball competition that saw the withdrawal of the La Salle Lady Archers squad.