Rañola focused in SEA Games despite father’s death

NAYPYITAW—She wouldn’t have competed here if he asked her to stay.

Now billiards ace Irish Rañola is left to find comfort as she mourns the death of her father just two days before plunging into action in the 27th Southeast Asian Games.

Rañola lost her father, Emilio, due to a lingering illness Thursday.

News of the death of Rañola’s father in Zamboanga reached the team yesterday and reigning world 10-ball champion Rubilen Amit was the first to comfort her grieving teammate.

“There’s really not much you can say at this difficult time. All you can do is make her feel that she’s not alone and pray for her family,” said Amit.

Robert Mananquil, secretary general of Billiards and Snooker Association of the Philippines, said Rañola had sought permission from her father, before deciding to defend her 9-ball and 10-ball titles here.

“She told us she would compete only if her father agrees,” Mananquil said of Rañola, who was undergoing therapy session with sports psychiatrist Reynaldo Canlas.