Jasmin Ouschan

Jasmin Ouschan – MANILA, Philippines – Filipina cue artist Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit is ranked number 10 among the world best female cue artist based on the latest World Pool Billiard Association (WPA) rankings. Amit, one of the top players of sportsman-businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat of Puyat Sports, tied with with Fu Xiaofang of China at 10th despite only competing in 2 of the 5 WPA-sanctioned tournaments last year. According to the WPA website, Amit jacked her total points to 782 points after winning the Women’s World 10-ball crown last June at the SM North Edsa in Cubao. Amit earlier got 88 points in the Taiwan Amway Cup and garnered another 640 points following her first-place finish in the Women’s World 10-Ball. “Masayang-masaya po ako kasi nagbunga na ang lahat ng sakripisyo at paghihirap ko po,” said the former Makati call center employee, who gave up her work to focus on billiard. “Salamat po sa family ko, kay Sir Putch (Puyat) at coach Boyet (Asonto), hindi ko mararating ang kinalalagyan ko ngayon kung hindi dahil sa suporta po nila,” she added. Amit also teamed up with pool maestro and Puyat Sports stable mate Efren “Bata” Reyes to capture the 1st Mixed Doubles Classic championships, which is not a WPA-sanctioned tournament. Ireland’s Karen Corr saw action in all 5 events to finish on top of the heap with 1,467 points. Liu Shin-Mei of Chinese Taipei is the top Asian on the list and 2nd overall with 1,087 points. She competed in four WPA events. Kelly Fisher of Ireland played in 3 events and took 3rd spot with 934 points, Jasmin Ouschan of Austria took 5th place with 883 points, while Allison Fisher of Great Britain took 6th spot with 770 points. Liu Sha Sha of China won her lone WPA tournament this year, the World 9-Ball Championship, and finished in 7th spot with 750 points followed by fellow Asian Akimi Kajatani (8th) of Japan with 748 points and Pan Xiaoting (9th) of China with 739 points. Overall, Amit had a fine year, winning two gold medals in the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games in Laos. The next best Filipina cue artist is Iris Rañola, who is ranked 48th with 201 points, followed by 11-year-old Gillian Go in 51st. — by Marlon Bernardino