By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
“In God’s perfect time.”
Veteran cue artist Rubilen Amit couldn’t help but be awed after winning the Women’s 9-ball Championship for the first time in almost two decades of trying.
The title win was not only sweet but also meaningful for her as it was Amit’s dream tournament – not to mention the dangers she faced along the way which she overcame with the panache of a great champion.
“I’ve been figuring out ways to put everything that has transpired into words. I am overwhelmed by God’s grace. Everything was perfect! Thank you, Lord! I am nothing without you,” Amit wrote on social media days after her come-from-behind win.
The 42-year-old Amit came tantalizingly close to winning the crown 17 years ago but Chinese rival Pan Xiaoting was there to frustrate her during a tense-filled showdown in Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei.
Her agony did not end there as she was beaten in the semis two during the 2018 and 2019 editions, leaving the Mandaue City native disheartened once again.
Not anymore.
Displaying determination and resilience, Amit crawled back from the loser’s qualification in the preliminaries on her way to toppling another Chinese foe in Chen Siming for this year’s crown held in Hamilton, New Zealand.
She became the first Filipina to win the said 9-ball trophy, adding another silverware to her growing collection after winning the world women’s 10-ball crown in 2009 and 2013.
Amit said the mindset she had going to her first tournament this year was to enjoy the experience and embrace every challenge.
“The draw was one of the toughest I had to go through, but I enjoyed every match,” said Amit, who had to overcome three-time champion Han Yu of China and 2013 winner Chou Chieh-yu of Chinese Taipei to make it to the knockout stage.
She continued her winning ways in the 16-player stage, beating teammate Chezka Centeno, Chinese Taipei’s Wi Tzu-Chien, Kristina Tkach and Chen for the crown.
More than the battle, Amit looked at it as an opportunity to learn more.
“The friendships formed, the safety battles, the runouts, and the creativity shown on the table are only some things I love about this sport. Best of all, I got the opportunity to learn from my opponents,” she added.
She also congratulated her fellow competitors and thanked the people who supported her along the way.
