Philipppines Dominates Asiad 9-Ball; Gabica Grabbed 2 Medals

Al-Sadd Sports Club, Doha, Qatar - The Philippines dominated the Men's 9-Ball Pool-Singles event in the recently concluded 2006 Asian Games. Filipinos Antonio "Gaga" Gabica and Jeffrey "Bata" De Luna contested for the gold medal with Gabica winning out with an 11-7 score. In the semis, Gabica defeated Korean Jeoung Young Hwa while De Luna defeats eventual bronze medalist Taiwanese Yang Ching Shun.

The win was Gabica's way making out for his loss in the Men's 8-Ball Pool-Singles finals, where he settled for the silver medal, against Japanese Satoshi Kawabata, the match ended with a score of 7-9. In the semis, Kawabata defeated another Filipino in the person of Dodong "The Rattlesnake" Andam while Gabica defeated eventual bronze medalist Taiwanese Huang Kung Chang.

Gabica took home 1 gold and 1 silver and should be rewarded with Php2.3Million ($46,000) while de Luna takes home 1 silver worth Php800,000 ($16,000). The cash prizes are incentives to be given by the Philippine government to all Asiad medalists.