Pool Legend “Bata” Efren Reyes and Rubilen Amit Capture 1st Annual World Mixed Doubles Classic

The World Mixed Doubles Classic was held in the Quezon City area of Manila, Philippines during December 1-3, ‘09 at Nuvo City. This Scotch Doubles event, produced by Dragon Promotions, has combined teams of  some of the strongest male pool players with beautiful up-and-coming female players from around the world.  This groundbreaking event was showcased at the new Lifestyle Center on the grounds of Nuvo City.

Dragon Promotions mentioned that this event brought together the most beautiful women cueists with the top men stars of the game, which offered exciting match-ups, where the six teams representing different countries played 10-ball doubles.

The broadcast included 12 hours of live coverage of the event, to which reached pool lovers in Asia and the Philippines, as well as the Middle East and the USA , and was distributed by ESPN Star Sports and ABS-CBN.

Read on for more details and photos from this inaugural event…

Scotch Doubles Match-Ups

Team RP (Republic of Phillipines): Efren Reyes and Rubilen Amit

Arguably the strongest strongest living pool player of this generation, Efren Reyes, teamed up with Reigning Women’s World 10-ball Champion Rubilen Amit.

Team Japan: Hayato Hijikata and Kaori Ebe

Representing Japan, this team was comprised of Hayato Hijikata–one of Japan’s strongest hopefuls, who is currently ranked 3rd in the country while only being 20 years old. Kaori Ebe is a strong up-and-coming Japanese Pro and a player representative for Mezz Cues.

Team Europe: Mika Immonen and Borana Andoni

In this inaugural event, reigning World 10-Ball Champion and Back-to-Back US Open 9-Ball Champ Mika Immonen joined with aspiring pro Borana Andoni to represent Europe in this event. While Immonen hails from Finland and Andoni grew up in Albania, both now reside in New York City.

Team Korea: Charlie Williams and Eun-Ji Park

Top Korean-American Pro and Dragon Promotions founder “The Korean Dragon” Charlie Williams represented Korea along with WPA-ranked pro, Eun-Ji Park.

In the finals, Team RP (Republic of the Philippines) faced off against Team Korea.  The two teams were tied at 7-7 before the favorite, Team Philippines, clutched out the next two games, capping it off with a tough shot on the 10-ball to the delight of the Pinoy home crowd.

“We got a little bit lucky in the end,” said a smiling Reyes.

Amit mentioned that it was a delight to play alongside his idol. “It’s really a great feeling playing alongside him (Reyes). All the things he has just rubbed off on me. He’s really an inspiration,” said Amit.

Reyes and Amit will spearhead the country’s bid in the 25th Southeast Asian Games slated Dec. 9-18 in Vientiane, Laos, with the former teaming up with old buddy Francisco “Django” Bustamante in the men’s 9-ball doubles, while Amit will see action in the women’s 9-ball and 8-ball singles.

Team Korea’s Charlie Williams and Eun Ji Park defeated Lee Van Corteza and Fil-Am Shanelle Loraine, 7-3.

The 21-year-old South Korean female sensation Eun Ji Park played superb with reports of a calm demeanor and accurate ball pocketing and cue ball control.

“This girl could really do some damage on the women’s pro tour in the USA,” commented expert pool analyst, Jay Helfert.

Reyes, a former world 9-ball and 8-ball champion, said he was impressed with Amit’s superb pocketing and solid breaks.

“She’s the main reason why we won, she showed better pocketing and breaking than me,” said Reyes referring to her pint-sized, but power-hitting partner.

But Amit, winner of the inaugural Women’s World 10-ball Championship, refused to take the credit, and said it was Reyes who anchored their romp.

“We all know him, he’s always humble, but the truth is, he carried us to this win,” said Amit, who admitted to have had a hard time shaking off jitters against the Japanese.

“I struggled in our first game together. I was afraid to make mistakes because I’m playing with my idol, that’s why I kept on committing mistakes and bad shots,” Amit said. “But he (Efren) told me to just be myself and relax, I did that, and it really helped me.”

Immonen, who ruled the recent World 10-ball Championship, was far from top form against the RP duo, missing a textbook shot, making a scratch, and coming up with poor preparation for his partner.

“I played a horrible game,” said Immonen, who also retained his US Open title.

It was a sweet revenge for Corteza, who was beaten by Immonen in the final of the recent World 10-ball Championship, as well as the ‘09 US Open quarterfinal.

“It’s a nice feeling getting back at Immonen,” said Corteza, a former six-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist.

Many fans were buzzing that this was one of the most fun and entertaining events they had ever watched. The event was the first-ever international mixed doubles tournament in billiards, and the brainchild of elite billiards event production company, Dragon Promotions. DP has already committed to producing this event annually, and building it bigger.

“We hope to be able to host this event again next year, and make Nuvo City its annual home,” said Rally Martinez, Executive Director of Nuvo Land.

In the consolation opener match of the final day, Team Japan faced Team USA to avoid the dreaded last-place finish of the event. With US Amateur Champion Amy Chen paired with former US Open and World 10-Ball Champion Shane Van Boening, they seem to be the favorites over young Japanese duet of Hayato Hijikata and Kaori Ebe. Ironically Hijikata won his World Junior Gold at the same time and event where Van Boening won his World Gold in the pro division back in 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida.  Japan broke away at 3-3 to win the match 5-3 over USA.

Team Europe still placed second in Group A and gained a shot for third place in the $12,000 tournament supported by Puyat Sports, ABS-CBN Sports, ESPN-Star Sports and The Philippine STAR.

Team Korea clinched the first finals berth in the event, presented by Nuvo Land Philippines, Inc. and Dragon Promotions, by beating Team Philippines B. The pair of Charlie Williams and Eun Ji Park topped Group B with a 2-0 mark.

Earlier, the Philippines’ second team of Lee Van Corteza and Filipino-American Shanelle Loraine overpowered Team Europe’s Mika Immonen of Finland and Borana Andoni of Albania, 7-3, to clinch third place in the event. Loraine and Van Corteza had never met nor played together before, and dropped their first match of the event to Team Korea 7-4, which was their only loss. But they soon found their stride as they dominated over Team USA 7-1 and then dismantled Europe 7-3.

The 10-ball tournament, produced by Dragon Promotions, was telecasted live on ESPN Star Sports and ABS-CBN throughout Asia and the Philippines. The event is sponsored by Takini Cloth, Magic 89.9, Philippines Star, Predator Cues, Puyat Sports, and hosted by Nuvo City.

The matches had tremendous ratings, and the final day had been changed to add an additional channel so aired on both ABS-CBN’s Studio 23 and Balls. Internationally on ESPN Star Sports as well as ABS-CBN in middle east and USA.

“Billiards, the sport of the Philippines. The sport of the people.”  Please visit www.dragonpromotions.com