(Update) RP cue masters get gold, silver at Doha 9-ball

The Philippine National Anthem was finally heard as the country's tricolor flag was raised at the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, with Antonio Gabica getting the gold medal and Jeffrey de Luna the silver in the 9-ball competition. Gabica and De Luna, who happen to be best friends, defeated their semifinal opponents late Monday night before facing each other for the final match early Tuesday morning. Gabica made up for his heart-wrenching defeat in the 8-ball finals by beating his compatriot De Luna, 11-7. Gabica, who had bowed to Satoshi Kawabata of Japan in the 8-ball finals, almost failed to seal the victory as De Luna came back from a 6-1 deficit and threatened to close in at 10-7. "Mabuti na lamang at naunahan ko si Jeff. Magaling din ang batang iyan at kung nakahabol siya sa akin sa iskor na nine ay malamang na ma-pressure na naman ako," the Gabica, the pride of Cotabato, said in a press statement. Because of Gabica and De Luna's 1-2 finish, the Philippines now have a one gold, four silves, and six bronze medals in the quadrennial event. Gabica easily defeated Jeoung Young Hwan of Korea, 11-5, in the semis, while De Luna hasd to contend with 1998 and 2002 Asian Games titlist Yang Ching Sun of Chinese Taipei, 11-7. The victory also raised Gabica's cash incentive from the Philippines government to P2.3 million (P1.5 million for the gold and P800,000 for the silver finish in the 8-ball event). - GMANews.TV