PSC-POC National Games: De Luna Wins Gold in 9-Ball

Jeffrey De Luna

POWER breaker Jeffrey de Luna flashed his vintage form by winning the 9-ball billiards competition in the just ended Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)-Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) National Games at the Gaisano Mall in Bacolod City on Friday.

De Luna, a habitué of Star Billiards Center, who won the silver medal in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, defeated local bet Delfin Tugado, 11-8, in the finals enroute the coveted gold medal in the 9-ball billiards competition.

"I took a 6-2 commanding lead at the start of the game and never looked back," said de Luna, the 2007 Manny Pacquiao International 9-ball ruler.

De Luna, fondly called "The Bull" in the local pool will try his luck in the qualification tournament for China Open this month on Saturday at the Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City.

Meanwhile, former world women's 10-ball titlist Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit defeated 11-year-old Bacolod billiards whiz Cheska Centeno, 9-4, in the semis then toppled Mary Ann Basas, 9-7, in the finals to capture the women's crown.

Other notable cue masters seeing in action in the Bacolod meet were former WPA World 9-ball and 8-ball champion Efren "Bata" Reyes, reigning WPA World 8-ball ruler Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco, Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, Jundel "Jano" Mazon and Rodrigo "Edgie" Geronimo.