MANILA, PHILIPPINES---FILIPINA Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit is now looking to conquer the world after a magnificent performance in the 2005 Manila SEA Games.
The 24-yar-old BS Accountancy graduate from the University of Sto. Tomas is now sharpening her skills for the ultimate test in pool – the World Pool Championship.
"Filipina billiard players are equally talented as the male pool players," said Amit, taking into account the world championship romps of Efren "Bata" Reyes and Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan.
The women's version of WPC will be held this coming March in Taiwan. Waiting her there are the likes of world renowned lady pool sharks Karen Corr of Ireland and Alison Fisher of the United States.
Her good friend and fellow national player Iris Rañola had been there before, but didn't last long. Amit is unperturbed. "All of us can clean the table," she said.
It may sound cocky, but she's got the game to back it up. The pride of Taguig City Amit, a look-a-like of former child star turned Musician Aiza Seguerra stamped her name in local pool history when she went undefeated in the qualifying round of this year's Philippine 9-Ball Open to become the first and only female player to make the cut in the main draw of any national open for men.
Amit is also untouchable in the region, sweeping her way to the gold medal in both the 8-ball and 9-ball singles of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games.
She capped her dominating show with an 11-0 thrashing of Malaysian Suhana Dewi B Sabtu in the titular match of 9-ball. Amit credited her current form to the training program facilitated by billiards godfather Aristeo "Putch" Puyat.
"I gained confidence being matched with our local pros,” Amit said. "We are all aware that our billiard players are world-class."
The big wigs are also taking notes. “Rubilen's game is complete," observed Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Ernesto “Ernie” Fajardo.
The former Asian 8-ball queen can run out, clean up and play safe. She can hole in a bank, carom, combination and even jump shot.
"She's fundamentally sound and patient in her game," said National women's team coach Edgard “Boyet” Asonto, Amit's longtime mentor.
