SEA Games: Centeno tops Amit for gold anew as Filipinas end up 1-2 in 10-ball

Filipina cue artists Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit go 1-2 in the women’s 10-ball of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Rubilen Amit didn’t even let Chezka Centeno try and make the gold medal clinching shot in the 10th rack of their all-Filipino women’s 10-ball final in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Saturday night.

Amit threw in the towel as her young compatriot was about to hit a beeline shot on the 10 as the two finished 1-2 anew with Centeno securing her third SEA Games gold medal after a 7-3 rout.

“She was really good, she had a break and run going while I always end up with dry breaks. I knew it wasn’t going to be my night that’s why I decided to already give the 10-ball away and just end the game and not prolong it,” Amit, 38, said in Filipino.

Centeno played a near-perfect game as she repeated over Amit, whom she also beat in the 9-ball singles final in the 2017 and 2015 SEA Games.

“I’m just so happy that I won the gold again,” said Centeno, who was timid in front of reporters following her victory that gave Filipino cue artists their first gold in this SEA Games.

On the pool table, however, Centeno was in her usual imposing self.

The 20-year-old Centeno and Amit, who are close friends, meet again on Sunday for their third straight encounter in the women’s singles 9-ball final.

Amit, a five-time SEA Games gold medalist, hopes to win one against Centeno, whom she regards the present and future of pool in the country.