Gabica, the lone PHL hope in the 2012 World 9 Ball Championship
Doha, Qatar – The 2012 World 9 Ball Championship is down to its final 8 competitors. From 17 Filipino participants, the Philippine campaign is in the shoulders of the lone Filipino quarterfinalist. Cebuano Antonio “Gaga” Gabica survived 6 grueling days of competition, to be the Philippine’s only representative in the Top 8. For the second straight year, he eliminated former world champion “The Iceman” Mika Immonen. He won over Immonen in the Round of 16, 11-9. Last year, he eliminated the Finn in the Round of 64.The two other Filipinos in the Round of 16 were not as lucky. Dennis Orcollo was stopped by Netherlands‘ Nick Van Der Berg, 6-11, while, Jundel Mazon was eliminated by Ko Pin Yi of Taipei, 9-11.
The 2 Filipinos along with 6 others will be going home with $5,000 after finishing 9th -16th in one of the world’s biggest pool tournaments. The total pot of the competition $300,000.Gabica, who counts as the 2006 Games 9 ball event as one of his biggest career achievements, is now assured of $8,000 for his feat. With 3 more victories, he will clinch the $40,000 top prize. The pride of Lapu-Lapu City will have a chance to bring home the World 9 Ball Trophy to the Philippines once again. The last time a Filipino won the tournament was in 2010 when Francisco “Django” Bustamante won his first ever World 9 Ball Championship. Other former Filipino winners are 1999 Efren Reyes, and 2006 Ronnie Alcano.
Gabica’s Tournament Match Results so far:
- Elimination: 9 -4 vs. Andrea Klasovic of Serbia and Montenegro
- Elimination: 9-7 vs. Dennis Grabe (EST)
- Round of 64: 11 – 7 vs. Mario He (AUT)
- Round of 32: 11-6 vs. Yang Ching Shun (TAI)
- Round of 16: 11-9 vs. Mika Immonen (FIN)
Related articles
- 2012 WORLD 9 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP Round of 64 update: Reyes wins; Bustamante ousted (cebuislandlive.com)
- World 9-Ball Championship 2012 Day 5 First Half Update: 3 up 3 down for the PHL cue artists in the Round of 64 (caloysports.wordpress.com)
- World 9-Ball Championship 2012 Day 4: Round of 64 cast complete; 13 PHL cue masters qualify (caloysports.wordpress.com)
- World 9-Ball Championship 2012: 6 Filipinos including Cebuano Israel Rota survive Do or Die Day 4 (cebuislandlive.com)
- World 9-Ball Championship 2012 Day 3: 7 Filipinos enter the Round of 64 including Cebu’s Gaga Gabica (cebuislandlive.com)
- World Pool Champion Mika Immonen: This Finn has Flipped over the Philippines (judefensor.wordpress.com)
- World 9-Ball Championship 2011: Gabica beats Immonen in the Round of 64
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