Efren Reyes and Rubilen Amit

EFREN “Bata” Reyes and Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit of Philippines A bagged the 1st World Mixed Doubles Classic title after edging out Korea in an exciting final match late Thursday at the  Nuvo City Lifestyle Center in Libis, Quezon City.

Reyes and Amit, the two world champions from Puyat Sports of Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, posted a 9-7 win in their race-to- nine match against Koreans Charlie Williams and Eun Ji Park. They took home the top prize of $6,000 in the event presented by Nuvo Land Philippines, Inc. and Dragon Promotions and supported by Puyat Sports, ABS-CBN Sports, ESPN-Star Sports and the Philippine Star.

The Koreans, on the other hand settled for the second place prize of $3,000.

" We would like to thank the organizer (Dragon Promotions) and the sponsors for staging this event," said Reyes, who became the First Filipino World 9-Ball Champion in 1999 in Cardiff, Wales.

The Philippine B Team of Lee Van Corteza and Shanelle Loraine defeated the pair of Mika Immonen and Borana Andoni of Team Europe, 7-3, in the battle for third place and received the $2,000 prize.

“At least we finish third,” said Corteza, who lost to Immonen in the finals of World Ten Ball Championships.

Earlier, Team Japan of Hayato Hijikata and Kaori Ebe defeated Team USA of Shane Van Boening and Amy Chen, 5-3, to finish fifth in the six teams competitions.