SYDNEY, Australia – The Philippines will have at least two slots for the World 9-Ball Junior Championship next year according to Asian Pocket Billiards Union (APBU) secretary Robert Huang. “Filipinos are very good pool players. It's really puzzling why the Philippines only sent a representative in the competition this year,” he said.
The impressive fifth place finish of Rene Mar "Revo" David in the five-day event gave the Philippines an extra slot for its next edition.
“Rene Mar is still eligible to play for the next two years. He will surely have a high seeding if ever he will play again here,” Huang said. David won his first three matches before falling to Gerald Lopez of Nicaragua, 7-9, in the quarterfinals Thursday.
The 17-year-old from Barangay Botocan, Quezon City was satisfied with his overall performance.
“Kahit na hindi ako sinuwerteng manalo ng championship alam ko naman na ginawa ko ang best ko para manalo (Although I failed to win the championship I know I did my best),” said David, whose campaign is supported by Raya Sports and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Born in Apalit, Pampanga was raised in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, David whose stint here also supported by Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP), Grand Sport, Rhadiola, ACCEL, MASCO head Ali Atienza, Bugsy's Promotion, BM Express, Lutong Pinoy and Le Colonial Vietnamese Restaurant and Kingston Basketball Club.
Two-time defending champion Wu Yu-Lun of Taiwan and compatriot Ko Pin-Yi were set to dispute the title late last night.
Wu beat Lopez, 9-7, while Ko downed Adam Skoneczny of Poland, 9-7, in the semifinals.
In the distaff side, Filipina-American Mary Rakin crushed Taiwanese Wu Hsiao-Wen, 7-4, to book a seat in the finals at the billiards hall of RSL Club in Rooty Hill here.
She will face the winner of the match between Anna Kostanian of the United States and Bi Zu-Qing of China in the title match.
The Daly City, California resident Rakin, who traced her roots from Cavite, earlier defeated Cha You-Ram of Korea, 7-5, Denise Wilkinson of New Zealand, 7-2, and Marina Linguerri of Canada, 7-2
