World's best women pool players take center stage

MANILA, Philippines – The JBETpoker.net Women’s World 10-Ball Championship unfolds today with top seed Jeanette Lee expecting a battle royale among the world’s top players, including four local bets, for honors at the SM City North Edsa in Quezon City.

“It’s going to be a wide-open race for the title and I think everybody has a chance, including that 11-year-old girl,” said Lee, also known as the “Black Widow,” during yesterday’s press launch at the Sky Dome of the SM City North Edsa.

She was referring to Filipino child sensation Gillian Go, who upended a Korean rival in the qualifier to clinch a spot in the tournament proper of the $75,000 event.

“It’s going to be a very exciting event,” said Lee, who gets top seeding in 48-player tournament which offers a winner’s purse of $20,000.

Aside from Lee, also in the fold are Americans Allison and Kelly Fisher, Austrian Jasmin Ouschan and Korean Ga Young-kim.

Heading the RP contingent are 2007 Women’s World 9-Ball runner-up Rubilen Amit, 2008 WPBA Rookie of the Year Iris Ranola and RP standout Mary Ann Basas.

Chicago-based Fil-Am Zara del Rosario, who traces her roots to Catarman, Samar, is the other Filipino player competing in the event backed by The Philippine STAR, ABS-CBN, SM North Edsa, Magic 89.9, Predator Cues, Takini Billiard Cloth, Aramith, Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions.

Shannelle Loraine and Jennifer Seaver, who also have Filipino blood, are also competing but are representing the United States.

“We’ll do our best to make our countrymen proud,” said Amit.

The event will be aired live on ABS-CBN’s Studio 23 and on ESPN-Star Sports, which will broadcast a total of 40 hours match coverage to 40 countries.

Go, a Grade 6 student at Jubilee Christian Academy in Quezon City who took up the sport six years ago, stunned Hyun Ji-won, 7-5, in the deciding match of the second qualifier to join other four local bets in the blue-ribbon event featuring the world’s top lady cue artists.