SEA Games: Rubilen Amit finally beats Chezka Centeno for 9-ball gold

Rubilen Amit wins the women’s 9-ball gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Rubilen Amit yielded the gold medal on Saturday just as her compatriot and good friend Chezka Centeno was about to hit the last ball in their women’s 10-ball singles final.

On Sunday, it was Centeno’s turn to concede as Amit took the gold in their third straight meeting in the women’s 9-ball singles final for another 1-2 finish for the Philippines in the billiards competition of the Southeast Asian Games.

Amit rolled past back-to-back gold medalist Centeno, 7-3, to finally rule the event after settling for consecutive silver medals in 2017 and 2015.

The 38-year-old Amit won six racks in a row to rally from a 3-1 deficit.

“Entering this match, I never really thought about winning or not because I know Chezka has been playing really well,” Amit said.

“I’m very happy and very grateful for this 9-ball because we’re going into the world championships and this might be my last SEA Games here in the Philippines because if it’s another 14 years I don’t know if I’m still playing by then, I’m already 38,” added Amit, who won her first SEA Games gold medal in 2005 also in Manila.

Amit collected her seventh gold medal overall in the regional meet and a chance to add another one in the women’s 9-ball doubles where she’s teamed up with Centeno.

The duo barged into the semis of the doubles event after fending off Thailand’s Vuttiphan Kongkaket and Sasiwimon Wannaprathip, 7-6, earlier in the day.