Amit on cue for 10-ball title

MANILA, Philippines - Rubilen Amit stayed on course for a second world 10-ball crown after disposing of rising star Cheska Centeno, 8-5, yesterday to advance to the Last 16 in the WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) fourth Annual Yalin Women’s World 10-Ball Championship at Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas.

Amit, 29, trailed in the early going, 2-4, but frustrated the 13-year-old Centeno by winning six of the next seven racks to secure the victory in an all-Filipino clash on the first day of the knockout stage.

The two evened things up after the first four racks before Centeno, who made quite an impression with her game from the elims to the tournament proper, took the next two to surge ahead, 4-2, in the winner’s break format event.

“She (Cheska Centeno) has a future. She’s good and plays with a lot of heart. She just needs exposure to further hone her talent and skills,” said Amit in Filipino.

Amit made the most of her turn after Centeno missed on the seventh frame, sweeping the next four to post a 6-4 lead.

“It’s a good thing that we’re playing under the winner’s break format. At least, there’s a chance for the other player to fight back,” said Amit, winner of the inaugural edition of this event which features the world’s leading players.

Centeno threatened last at 5-6 but Amit simply fended off the threat by winning the next two racks for the victory.

The win set up Amit against L.H. Shan of Chinese-Taipei, who topped Group 8 with a sterling 5-0 record for an automatic spot in the Last 16.

Also posting similar 5-0 slates in their respective group matches are Yu Ram Cha of Korea (Group 1), 2010 World 10-ball queen Jasmin Ouschan of Austria (Group 2), X.T. Pan of China (Group 3), S. M. Chen of China (Group 4) and X.F. Fu of China (Group 5).

Y.T. Chan of Chinese-Taipei made it to the Final 16 after edging Amit in the tiebreaker on total racks won during their Group 7 matches last Wednesday. Both finished with 4-1 cards but Chan had a better 29 total racks won against the Filipina’s 28.

S.S. Liu of China routed Y.C. Lin of Chinese-Taipei in the tiebreaker to advance. Liu had a better 26 total racks won against Lin’s 25. Both also tallied 4-1 slates in Group 6.