Rubilen Amit. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Lone Filipino bet Rubilen Amit absorbed her first defeat after falling to Chinese Taipei’s Ho Yun Tan, 2-6, in the 5th Yalin’s Women’s World 10-Ball Championship Saturday at the Resorts World Manila.
Amit, the inaugural champion, muffed a carom from the six-ball to the nine-ball, which hung on the jaws of the corner pocket, in the eighth rack – leaving her Taiwanese opponent with an easy table to clear and clinch the win.
“I was trying to hold back my shot on the six for the 10-ball so it would be easy for me to go for the combination,” Amit said in Filipino. “But I hit it too soft.”
That miss not only cost Amit the match but had she managed to put in the nine and 10-ball in that rack alone even if she still went on to lose, the Filipino would’ve still emerged as the top seed in the Round of 16.
And Amit couldn’t help but lament on her missed chance.
“It was really a blown opportunity and I still can’t get over that I missed it,” said Amit.
Instead, Amit settled for a place in the Round of 24 after finishing with a 4-1 record in the group stages.
Amit also said that being the last Filipino standing adds more weight on her shoulders as she aims to get back on top.
“Knowing that I’m the only Filipino left, I feel bad that the others didn’t make it and I feel more pressured because I’m competing for my country,” Amit admitted.
Amit had the chance to go up, 3-nil, but she couldn’t get the nine-ball in as it rattled on the corner pocket.
“The shot was too straight for me to have good position on the 10-ball so I had to alter my shot and unfortunately it caused it from going in.”
Despite squandering an outright last 16 ticket, Amit remains hopeful on her chances as she enters the knockout stages.
“I’m happy with how I’m playing right now.”