Rubilen Amit Crowned JBETpoker.net Women's World 10-Ball Champ

The Philippines can now claim to be a force in women's pool as well as men's: Filipina Rubilen Amit has captured the JBETpoker.net Women's World 10-Ball Championship!

The first semi-final featured Amit vs. Japan's Akimi Kajitani. The match was scheduled live for TV at 2 pm, but the arena at SM Mall North Edsa was already packed with every seat filled three hours before the start time. Kajitani was the more experienced player, placing 3rd in two world championships and has been a top women's player in Asia for a decade.

Kajitani's first shot of the match was a low percentage long five ball with the cue ball near frozen to the rail and she fired it in and forced followed for position to come back up table for a runout. Kajitani won the next game and built a 2-0 lead, but missed a seven ball to make it 3-0. This was the air Amit needed, quickly tying the match at 3-3. With the crowd behind her, Amit was solid enough to win the match 9-6 and make it to her second world championship finals appearance.

Anthony Suntay, one of Asia's top TV sportscasters, said, "This event has been amazing. The stands were already packed and every seat taken as soon as the mall opened at 10 am. They have been waiting here for hours. I've never seen this at even the men's world championships."

The second semi-finals featured Austria's Jasmin Ouschan up against Taiwan's 2x world champ, Shin Mei Liu. Ouschan came out strong with a 2-0 lead. but gave Liu a chance to keep it close, which she did. In a match filled opportunities for both players, the score see-sawed until 6-6. Liu took the lead 7-6, and then unbelievably, Jasmin missed with ball in hand after a Liu foul. The normally stoic and stone faced Ouschan looked like she was on the verge of tears as she watched Liu run out for a 8-6 lead. Liu finished off the final rack with a 9-6 win.

The Philippines couldn't ask for a better finals match-up. Taiwan versus the Philippines, the biggest rivals in all of Asia. Rubilen Amit, the shy, soft spoken short Filipina looking for her first big win. And on the other side Shin Mei Liu, the most dominating woman's player in all Asia with two world championships already under her belt.

"Look at this place! There hasn't been an empty seat here all week" said Jay Helfert, Co-Director of the Women's World 10-Ball and expert billiards analyst. "Dragon Promotions doesn't just do a tournament, they put on a real show. This field is strong, the playing conditions are good, and the play has been high level. Whoever leaves here with the win really deserves to be the World Champion."

"There were 1,500 fans in the amphitheatre watching yesterday, and over in the TV arena we had over 1,000 people. So there was some concern about where everyone would fit for the final day when we would only be down to the TV table. The upper levels of the malls are all packed up to the 4th floor, which worked out nicely for us," said Cindy Lee, CEO of Dragon Promotions.

The match began with Liu drawing first blood. Amit came back with the next rack and then the next taking the lead, and never relinquishing it. Liu kept it close at 4-3, but Amit then started pulling away as the crowd became more and more boisterous at the prospect of a Filipina World Champion. Liu was clearly affected by the home crowd as they cheered whenever Liu gave up the table back to Amit.

"When we play in Taiwan, they do the same thing, except over there they literally stand up and give an ovation when a foreigner misses," commented one pro player.

Leading 8-4, Amit faced a kickshot and called it in the side pocket, (the entire event was played with call shot rules). The cue ball went two rails and kicked the five ball into the side pocket to the roar of the fans. Liu smiled in her chair, knowing this day was not meant to be for her. Amit ran out to the hill and then broke and ran the final game to dominate 10-4 in the finals and become the first ever Women's World 10-Ball Champion.

"This reminded me of Rocky 4 when he fought the Russian in Moscow. The whole country was behind the Russian, just like the Filipinos were behind Amit. But this time the hometown favorite wins," observed Charlie Williams, Co-Owner of Dragon Promotions and top pro player.

The matches were all aired live on ABS-CBN's Studio 23 nationwide, The Filipino Channel worldwide, and ESPN Star Sports throughout Asia. The event was scheduled to end at 6 pm, but went past 2.5 hours until 830 pm. The TV networks didn't mind at all. "Dragon Promotions did an excellent job marketing and producing the event. It's been more than a homerun and surpassed our expectations. What a debut!" said Peter Musgni, VP of ABS-CBN Sports.

"I am very grateful to all the sponsors of the event and Puyat Sports for managing me. Of course I thank Dragon Promotions for making this event. I really hope I get invited to more international tournaments, especially in America where I always have dreamed to go," said Amit.

Takini Cloth, Predator, Aramith, & Puyat Sports are official equipment sponsors of the JBETpoker.net Women's World 10-Ball Championship. JBETpoker.net sponsored and Dragon Promotions produced event. Other sponsors include SM Mall North Edsa, Magic 89.9, Predator Cues, Philippines Star, and Bugsy Promotions. Takini Cloth is supplying their special TV gray cloth. Puyat Sports provide AMF Puyat Tables. Aramith is the official ball sponsor Predator Cues is the official cue sponsor.

A $75,000 purse was on offer for the tournament, with $20,000 to champion Rubilen Amit. For more info visit www.WomensWorld10Ball.com Photos courtesy of Emille "BBoy" Soriano