Success eludes billiards team

NAYPYITAW—Far from ruthless form, the highly regarded Philippine billiards team failed to live up to expectations, settling for a silver and a couple of bronze medals at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium’s billiard and snooker hall here.

Unable to replicate her golden performance in the world 10-ball championships last month, Rubilen Amit bowed to Angeline Magdaena of Indonesia, 2-7, in the women’s 9-ball finals.

Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco delos Reyes took the bronze in the one-cushion carom, after losing their respective semifinal matches to Vietnamese foes.

Iris Rañola, the winner of the 9-ball event two years ago in Palembang, was eliminated right in her first match by Magdaena, 3-7.

Still mourning the loss of her father, Emilio, who passed away Wednesday night, Rañola couldn’t find her rhythm and fell into a three-rack hole early. Cedelf P. Tupas