Amit ousts Tsai in thriller, enters Women’s World 10-ball finals

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines' Rubilen Amit outlasted Chinese-Taipei's Pei Chen Tsai in a nerve-wracking semifinal encounter, 9-7, to barge into the finals of the 2013 Yalin Women's World 10-ball Championship at Resorts World Manila on Monday.

Getting a bit of luck in the crucial stages of the match, Amit made Tsai pay for costly misses from the 14th rack on to pick up three straight frames that completed her fightback from a 6-7 deficit and into the race-to-10 championship.

Amit reached the finals of the prestigious tourney for only the second time. She went all the way to the title the first time around in 2009.

The top Phl lady cuemaster was to face 2011 champion Kelly Fisher of Britain in the finals set as of posting time, with the winner becoming the first two-time titlist. Fisher turned back Yu Han of China, 9-2, in the other semis duel.

"Swerte lang dahil dahil nag-error siya (I got lucky she committed some crucial errors)," said Amit. "I couldn't believe I won. Hindi maganda yung strokes ko at talagang na-feel ko yung nerves. Buti nakuha sa dasal (I was having a hard time with my strokes, probably due to nerves. Fortunately, my prayers were answered)," Amit said.

Tsai appeared on her way to the hill in the 14th rack when she sank a difficult shot on the 5-ball to the corner. However, she bungled her shot on a gimme 6-ball, handing the Pinay ace the opportunity to force a 7-7 standoff.

The Taiwanese ace gifted Amit with another opening in the next frame, failing to pocket the 5-ball, which led to a clean-up for the home bet, who also knocked down a pair of difficult shots along the way.

Tsai later had her chance to get on the hill herself when the Cebuana ace miscalculated a safety and left an opening. Tsai, though, couldn't connect on a 3-ball, and Amit went in for the kill, eventually clinching the W with a 4-10 combo.

 "Ang hirap talaga umubos, buti na lang nagkaroon ng ganoong opportunity (It was really so hard to run out so I was lucky I got those opportunities in the end)," said Amit, also thanking the crowd for giving him the needed support.