All Pinoy 9 Ball Final Assures Gold.

Antonio Gabica came back from a shattering defeat to assure the Philippines of its first gold medal, forging an all-Filipino final with Jeffrey de Luna in the billiards 9-ball event in the 15th Doha Asian Games late Monday night. Gabica, who lost the gold in the 8-ball final, blasted Korean Jeoung Young Hwa, 11-5, in the semis to seal the title duel for the 9-ball gold with De Luna who earlier routed Taiwan’s Yang Ching Shun, 11-7, hours after he snatched a thrilling hill-hill duel over Yukio Akagariyama of Japan, 11-10, in the quarters.
The gold medal showdown further underscored the domination by the Filipinos in the sport after the triumphs of Bata Reyes and Django Bustamante in the inaugural World Cup, the win by Reyes in the IPT World 8-ball Open, and Ronnie Alcano’s recent win in the World 9-Ball Championship. It could also fuel the RP bets’ gold medal rush at the finish of the quadrennial meet. Rookie Joan Tipon put one over Athens Olympics silver medalist Worapoj Petchkoom in their tightly fought duel that was decided via tiebreak in the bantamweight division to join compatriot Violito Payla in the finals. Tipon fought back from three points down, blew a two-point lead, then prevailed in the end of the thrilling contest that ended in 13-all and needed a countback to give the Filipino fighter a passage to the final. “It was a hard-fought victory,” said Tipon. “I dedicate this victory to my country and my family. I will give my best to win (the gold).” The victory over the Athens Olympics silver medalist thus broke the Thais’ domination of the Filipinos in the sport and Tipon’s win avenged the defeat suffered earlier by fellow rookie Godfrey Castro, who bowed to a stylish Suban Pannon via RSC (referee stopped contest) in the third round in their semifinal showdown in the lightflyweight division. Castro settled for the bronze. Mamiit later teamed up with fellow Fil-Am Eric Taino and pulled off a pulsating three-setter over Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin and Murad Inoyatov to advance to the semifinals of the men’s doubles. Two wushu experts advanced to the quarterfinals of the sanshou division. World champion Rene Catalan defeated Hudarayov Utkir of Kyrgyzstan, 5-0,5-0, and Mark Eddiva outclassed Fedoseev Aleksey also of Kyrgyzstan, 5-0, 5-0.
The 20-year-old Cojuangco, who had 8 penalties Sunday, cleared her round Monday but Toni Leviste and Juan Ramon Lanza had 4 each and the Philippines wound up with 28 penalties to finish in sixth. Paola Zobel didn’t count with 31 and 20 penalties in the two-day event.