INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning Japan Open champion and former Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Lining of the BMPAP Selection got off to a strong start to edge the Negros Billiards Stable tandem of Lee Van Corteza and Warren Kiamco, 7-6, in the finals to rule JBETpoker.net Scotch Doubles All-Star Challenge Friday at the Skydome of SM North Edsa in Quezon City.

The event served as the undercard of the VILLARDS Challenge of the Legend: The Maestro versus the Volcano, a one-on-one 15-ball rotation duel between pool icon Efren “Bata” Reyes and Ronnie Alcano.

The victory earned Gallego and Lining, both based in Japan, the P160,000 top prize at stake in this four-team event.

“We’re very happy and proud for this accomplishment,” said Gallego. “This is the first that we’ve teamed up and we’ve beaten the best teams.”

The BMPAP Selection and Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) both came into the match having won two of three matches each in the elimination round of this tournament sponsored by Camella Communities and supported by ABS-CBN .