Amit in semis of World 9-Ball

MANILA, Philippines — Pool wizard Rubilen Amit yesterday boosted her bid to become world champion in the year that’s about to end.

Amit showed nerves of steel as she pulled off a pair of pulsating victories over Wang Wan Lin of Chinese Taipei, 9-8, and Bai Ge of China, 9-5, to barge into the semifinals in the 2019 Hainan Sanya Women’s World 9-Ball Championship in Sanya in Hainan Island, China.

The victory put the 38-year-old Amit, who copped two gold medals in the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila, in an intriguing showdown with Austrian beauty Jasmin Ouschan, who booted out 2010 champion Fu Xiaofang of China in a gripping contest, 9-7.

Interestingly, both Amit, a two-time World 10-Ball champion, and Ouschan are seeking their first world 9-ball title after a long search.

Both came close to winning the title with Amit being denied by Pan Xiaoting of China 11 years ago and Ouschan falling prey to three-time titlist Liu Shasha of China four years back.

But after the semis, only one of them will move on as the winner squares off with the victor of the other semis pairing between Briton Kelly Fisher, a 9-5 winner over Liu, and Chinese Zhou Doudou, who eliminated another former winner, Han Yu of China, 9-5.

If Amit goes all the way, she will not only claim her very first crown in this event but will also become the third world champion produced by the Philippines this year next to gymnast Caloy Yulo and boxer Nesthy Petecio.

Amit, who trounced China’s Fan Langtong, 9-4, Tuesday night to make it to the round-of-16, fought her way back from 1-4 and 7-8 deficits, took the 16th rack to force a hill-hill before displaying superb shot-making in the final frame to steal the match from Wang.

The victory proved extra special as Amit avenged the 5-9 loss of her teammate and fellow SEA Games gold medalist, Chezka Centeno, to Wang in the round-of-32.