Gaite tops Lumawag in Amit Cup final

MANILA, Philippines — Other than to gain more experience and meet new friends, Leslie Gaite had no other expectations when she joined the Amit Cup, the country’s first all-women billiards tournament.

A criminology student at the Philippine College of Criminology, Gaite ended up with more as she ruled the event with a close 9-8 victory over Carmille Lumawag from Bacolod City in the recent final held at the Marboys Billiards Cafe in BF Parañaque.

“Mabibigat na halos lahat ng kasali dito, magagaling na mga tira, ang hirap makalusot ng panalo bawa’t set,” said Gaite who has been playing the sport the last 10 years.

Both Gaite and Lumawag breezed through the semifinals as they posted similar 7-2 victories over their respective opponents, Cheeya Navarro and Phoy Andal.

Three-time world champion and multi-titled Rubilen Amit , who initiated the series as part of her advocacy to discover new female players and grow billiards in the distaff side, was happy with the turnout.

The top 16 players who earned the most points after the five legs qualified to the one day finals of the series sponsored by Scarab with Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Bong Coo also providing assistance to Amit in this grassroots program.

Next on tap for Amit is the second season of the series set to start in June.