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Amit, the country’s top female cue artist, will try to
extend the Philippines ’ domination of the sport when
she competes in the 2007 Amway Women’s World Pool
Championship in Taiwan next month.
“I will
try my best to bring honor to our country just like what
our men players keep on doing,” said Amit, who is aiming
to improve his Last 24 finish in the tournament last
year.
The
25-year-old former call-center agent will be joined by
national teammates Iris Ranola and Mary Ann Basas.
“We may
not have the same exposure as the men, but we won’t use
it as an excuse not to do well. Ibubuhos namin ang lahat
para manalo. Hindi lang ito para amin kundi para sa
[We’ll give our all to win. This is not just for us but
for ] Philippine women’s billiards, which we are trying
to promote,” added Amit, the 2005 Southeast Asian Games
double gold medalist.
Unlike
Amit, who is already seeded into the main draw, Basas
and Ranola will have to go through the qualifying round
slated from April 1 to 3, also in Taiwan. The main draw,
which will be led by defending champion Ga Young Kim of
Korea, will be played from April 5 to 9.
It will
be Ranola’s first international stint since undergoing
an operation to remove three cysts in her left breast
last January.
“Medyo
nahihirapan pa rin ako [I still had a hard time],
especially sa break. But I’m confident that I can bring
back my A-game come tournament time,” said the
27-year-old Zamboangeña, who barely missed a medal in
the Doha Asian Games last year, where she bowed out in
the semifinals.
The
trio’s trip to
Taiwan
is supported by billiards patron Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.
Other
notable names competing in the Women’s WPC are Jennifer
Chen, Alison Fisher, Karen Corr, Jasmine Ouchan, Akitani
Okani, Jeannette Lee, Xiao Ting-pan, Vivian Villareal,
Jennifer Barretta, Yuram Cha and Monica Webb. |
