Filipina pool master Rubilen Amit failed to sustain her momentum as she lost to Amber Chen of Taiwan in the finals of the 32nd Japan 9-Ball Open at the New Pier Hall in Tokyo, Japan Monday.
Chen defeated Amit, 7-5, in the race-to-7, rack-your-own finals.
Chen took home the ¥400,000 (Japanese Yen) top prize while Amit settled for ¥200,000.
On the road to the finals, Chen toppled Miyuki Kuribayashi of Japan, 7-4, in the final four duel to arrange a title showdown with Amit, winner over Angeline Magdalena Ticoalu of Indonesia, 7-3, in the other semifinal match.
Amit posted a commanding 4-0 lead before Chen came back winning six straight racks to reach the hill, 6-4, in this winner’s break format. Chen missed an 8-ball shot allowing Amit to close the gap at a 6-5 count. Amit had opportunity to tie it and break for the deciding game but couldn’t seal the deal.
Amit’s next assignment is the China Open in Shanghai, China on September 1 to 8.
Her campaign in Japan and China was made possible with the support of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Billiard Sports Confederation of the Philippines headed by long-time billiards patron sportsman/businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat and DMC Entertainment and Production management boss Jesse Gonzales Cambosa, Sr. as part of her preparation in this year’s Southeast Asian Games.