MANILA, Philippines - Efren “Bata” Reyes and Rubilen Amit brace for their title defense against the best tandems in the world when the second World Mixed Doubles Billiards Championships is held beginning tomorrow in Hangzhou, China.
Reyes and Amit defeated the Korean pair of Charlie Williams and Eun Ji Park to rule the inaugural staging of the event in 2009 and pocket the top $6,000 purse.
Another Filipino pair is also entered in the event with Lee Vann Corteza teaming up with SEA Games double gold medalist Iris Ranola.
Reigning world 10-ball champion Kelly Fisher will team-up with Tommy Donlon in one of two British teams although focus will also be on Team USA (Johnny Archer and The Black Widow Jeanette Lee), Team Finland (Mika Immonen and Marika Poikkijoki), Team Chinese Taipei (Chao Fong Pang and Tsai Pei Chen) and China (Li He Wen and Fu Xiao Fang).
Play will be under the scotch doubles format.
Ranola upstaged Amit in the last SEA Games, winning the golds in the 8- and 9-ball events, including a victory over Amit in the 9-ball final.
But Amit is out to redeem herself with another victory in mixed doubles.
“I’m excited to again be paired up with my idol Efren Reyes,” said Amit. “I hope to play solid against some of the best players in the world.”