Billiards player Gabica takes home RP's first gold

Cue artist Antonio Gabica pocketed top honors at the 9-ball singles of the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, bringing home the Philippines' first and only gold medal in the tournament. Gabica out dueled his countryman Jeffrey de Luna, 11-7, during the final round. He had already won the silver in the men's 8-ball singles. Radio station dzBB said Gabica stands to earn about P1.5 million from government cash rewards on top of other incentives offered by corporate sponsors for gold medal winners. With four game dates left, the Philippines has come up with six bronze medals, four silvers and a gold courtesy of Gabica. Godofredo Castro (men's light flyweight) and Genebert Basadre (men's lightweight) took home bronzes in boxing. Taekwondo jins Manuel Rivero (men's 67-kg), Kathleen Eunice Alora (women's 47-kg), Veronica Domingo (women's 63-kg) bagged bronzes, while their companions Tshomlee Go (men's 62-kg) and Mary Antoinette Rivero (women's 67-kg) both gained silvers. Michael Eric Bibat won the bronze in the men's individual golf. The other medals are from cue sports, through Gabica and De Luna (silver, men's 9-ball singles). According to the 15th Asian Games website, the 34-year-old Gabica was born in Cotabato City. He is married to Marjiean and has two children, Ma. Antonella and Antonio Jr. The billiards master also enjoys singing and swimming. "Try and try until you succeed," Gabica said about his sporting philosophy. As for his most memorable sporting achievement, Gabica said: "Winning a gold medal [in the men's eight ball doubles event at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games] at home." Although he has been playing the sport since he was an 11-year-old boy in Cebu, Gabica dreams of one day setting up his own business. The billiard table has been a proverbial gold mine for Filipino sportsmen in international meets. The latest champion is Rodolfo "The Volcano" Alcano, who snared the crown at the 2006 World Pool Championship. Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante, meanwhile, are considered strong contenders for the billards Hall of Fame.-GMANews.TV