Gabica downs Boyes, makes 9-ball finals

MANILA, Philippines - Antonio Gabica came away with a pair of come-from-behind victories yesterday, including an 11-6 romp over Karl Boyes of United Kingdom to barge into the finals of the World 9-Ball Championship in Doha, Qatar last night.

Gabica yielded six racks in the first 10 games of the race-to-11 semifinal duel but went on a roll after winning the 11th, stringing up seven racks to clinch the victory and a crack at the coveted crown.

The former Asian Games gold medalist earlier fought back from 9-10 down by taking the last two racks as he pulled off a tense 11-10 victory over Dutch Nick Van der Berg to clinch the first Final Four berth.

But while Gabica advanced, compatriot Carlo Biado fell short of his bid, dropping a 4-11 loss to German Thorsten Hohmann.

Gabica and Hohmann, who won in 2003, were disputing the crown and the top $36,000 purse at presstime in a race-to-13 finale. The loser will get $18,000

In the quarters, Biado dominated Chris Mellin of Great Britain, 11-3, but just couldn’t pull it off against Hohmann, who also disposed off Filipino aces Dennis Orcollo (11-8) and Jeff de Luna’s (11-7).

Gabica earlier toppled Chang Jung Ling of Chinese Taipei, 11-6, Oliver Ortmann of Germany, 11-8, and Ko Pin Yi, also of Taiwan, 1-9, before foiling Boyes in the semis.

On his way to the Final Four, Boyes edged Filipino Marlon Villamor, 11-10, Huidji See of the Netherlands, 11-8, Lo Li Wen of Taiwan, 11-10, and Greek Nick Ekonomopoulos, 11-8.

Biado also beat German ace Ralf Souquet, 11-5, American Shane Van Boening, 11-10 and Italy’s Fabio Petroni, 11-10.