Former Asiad gold medalist Gabica makes it to WTBC main draw

Denied of a seat in the main draw two days ago, former Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica made sure he won’t be stopped this time. A cocky, 17-year-old kid was lined up as Gabica’s Finals opponent, but the Qatar-based Filipino player used his experience to the hilt in outlasting Hushley Jusayan, 9-4, to secure a seat in Stage 2 of the World Ten Ball Championship on Thursday night at the Star Billiards Center. Gabica was the second Filipino player to enter the main draw. Allan Cuartero, who defeated Gabica on Tuesday, was the first Pinoy to make it. Other players who secured seats to the main draw via the qualifying stage were Chang Yu Lung of Chinese Taipei, Tamoo Takano of Japan and Yang Ching Shun of Chinese Taipei. Gabica was surprised on the performance of the 17-year-old high school student from Meycauyan. “Yung gamit nga nyang tako, bakawan lang, tig-P350 pero umabot pa rin siya sa Finals," said Gabica, who won the gold in the 2006 Doha Asian Games. “Nahirapan rin talaga ako, lalo na sa resistensya." One of the seeded players for the Philippines in the last staging of the World Ten Ball Championship two years ago at the World Trade Center, Gabica didn’t compete in some of the ranking tournaments of the World Pool-Billiard Association last year. “Nagta-trabaho na kasi tayo sa Qatar eh, dun na rin tayo naka-based," said Gabica. “Kaya hindi ako nakasali sa ranking events. Ngayon ang layo na ng ranking ko. Gabica learned his lessons well in his previous Finals setback against Cuartero, but he made sure he will get the job done this time against Jusayan. “Kasalanan ko naman yun kaya ako natalo. Marami akong sinablay. Kaya tyinaga ko na talaga itong laban ko sa bata (Jusayan). Tuloy-tuloy yung laro kaya pinilit ko na rin talaga na makapasok," added Gabica. Still adjusting to the time and condition in the Philippines after more than a year of not competing here, Gabica was still struggling even against a virtually unknown and younger opponent in Jusayan. Leading a shaky 5-4 advantage, Gabica missed the No. 10 at the side, but Jusayan also missed the shot at the corner that could have equalize the match. In the exchanges of safety shots in the 11th rack, Gabica miscalculated a safety shot at ball No.1. Jusayan took his turn and sank ball Nos. 1 and 2. But the younger competitor missed on No.3, allowing Gabica to get back at the table and clean up the remaining balls for a 7-4 lead. From there, it was all Gabica. - GMA News