Pool pals: How Centeno, Amit keep PH on top of world billiards

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Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit, who are in an exclusive club as the only female players to win the world 10-ball title twice, thrive in a unique dynamic as fierce rivals and close friends

MANILA, Philippines – Rubilen Amit and Chezka Centeno may be the fiercest of competitors, but they are also each other’s greatest supporters.

That dynamic is the driving force behind the brilliance of two of the finest cue artists in the world, with Centeno and Amit in an exclusive club as the only players to rule the WPA Women’s World 10-Ball Championship twice.

Centeno achieved the feat when she outlasted Amit in a historic all-Filipina final last October 12 in Bali, Indonesia, hacking out a 4-1, 2-4, 4-2, 3-4, 4-2 victory to recapture the crown she first won in 2023 in Klagenfurt, Austria. 

It marked the first time the tournament’s finalists came from the same country — a testament to Centeno’s boundless potential at the age of 26 and Amit’s sustained excellence at the age 44. 

“I idolize her so I also wanted to become a two-time world champion like her, or even surpass that,” said Centeno in Filipino. 

Centeno admitted she felt shy as she faced Amit in the final of a world championship for the first time. It was, after all, the stuff of dreams for Centeno, who grew up looking up to Amit.

Before Centeno broke into the scene, Amit was already an established pool star, winning the world 10-ball crown in the tournament’s inaugural staging in 2009 and repeating as champion in 2013, with both editions held in the Philippines.

By 2013, Amit had also captured six of her total 10 Southeast Asian Games gold medals on top of a pair of World Mixed Doubles Classic titles she won together with Filipino legend Efren “Bata” Reyes in 2009 and 2011. 

It did not take long, though, for Centeno to follow in the footsteps of her childhood hero.

In her SEA Games debut at the young age of 15 in Singapore in 2015, Centeno — a Zamboanga City native who made the national team after impressing in the Philippine National Games in her pre-teens — struck gold in the women’s nine-ball singles, beating no less than Amit in the finale. 

That victory propelled Centeno to greater heights. 

Just this year, Centeno turned in runner-up finishes in the WPA Women’s World Eight-Ball Championship in the United States in July and the World Games in China in August before she broke through by overcoming Amit for the world 10-ball throne. 

“Ever since, Chezka has always had a strong game,” said Amit. “I’m sure the kid would accomplish more. Her momentum is just beginning. I’m excited for her. At 26, right? Wow. To have all those achievements already, I’m impressed with Chezka.” 

The loss to Centeno prevented Amit from becoming the reigning champion in two pool disciplines after she finally struck gold in the WPA Women’s World Nine-Ball Championship in September last year following a silver in 2007 and bronzes in 2018 and 2019. 

But even in defeat, Amit looked the happiest for Centeno.

When Centeno pocketed the last ball, Amit pumped her fist in delight and gave her teammate a warm hug. 

“When it comes to the game, we’re focused and we really compete. I set aside the fact that we’re friends for the meantime. Then after the game, we’re okay,” said Centeno.

“I’m happy because she is my idol and she supports me. We support each other,” Centeno said. 

If Amit’s run to the final proved anything, it is that she remains on top of her game despite competing for over two decades. 

“I guess I really love what I do. I’m very passionate about pool. One of the things that I think is a big factor [is] I love learning,” said Amit.  

“The good thing about billiards is age [is not much of a factor]. Tatay Efren is 71, and yet, he is still competitive. Although I probably would not be playing until I’m 71, but I’m hoping that I have more years that my game is still competitive.” 

With Amit and Centeno at the forefront of the women’s game in the Philippines, more Filipina players are enticed to give the sport a shot.

Many of them are competing in the Amit Cup, a tournament co-founded by Amit that is set for its fourth season.

“We started with 24 players, now we have 200 women players. So we’re hoping to grow it even more, especially now that Chezka has been winning,” said Amit. – Rappler.com