Filipino rising star Denise “Denden” Cabilio Santos overcame huge pressure from veteran cue artist Sylvanna Lu of Indonesia as she reigned supreme in the prestigious Lion Cup 9-Ball Invitational with a 9-6 win at the Aspire Recreation Centre in Singapore over the weekend.
*Denise “Denden” Cabilio Santos (right) won her first international title in the Lion Cup 9-Ball Invitational at the Aspire Recreation Centre in Singapore.*
The 26-year-old billiard player, who grew up playing billiards since she was a kid in Pateros and honed her skills with the help of Bugsy Promotions, went off to a blistering start and took advantage with 6-3 lead in the race-to-9 finals.
Lu tried to rally herself back to the match and tied the score to six apiece.
But Santos was not to be denied, halting Lu's own run and in the process scored three straight racks to seal the title for her first international title.
"Unexpected po, pinaghandaan ko ito pero nung makita ko ang la-lakas ng kalahok, pinairal ko na lang ang motivation na I'm from the Philippines na iginagalang sa larangan ng billiards. Diskarte ang panalo kontra experience this time," said Santos.
Last February, she dominated the Amit Cup Championship while also turning heads at the PSC Women's Sportsfest.
Santos wants to bring honor for the country by joining bigger tournaments which includes the Sharks Philippine 9-Ball Open on April 22.
"Wish ko ay matupad ang pangarap ko na makapaglaro para sa bansa like SEA Games, Asia and World [tournaments]", she added. (
*Denise “Denden” Cabilio Santos (right) won her first international title in the Lion Cup 9-Ball Invitational at the Aspire Recreation Centre in Singapore.*
The 26-year-old billiard player, who grew up playing billiards since she was a kid in Pateros and honed her skills with the help of Bugsy Promotions, went off to a blistering start and took advantage with 6-3 lead in the race-to-9 finals.
Lu tried to rally herself back to the match and tied the score to six apiece.
But Santos was not to be denied, halting Lu's own run and in the process scored three straight racks to seal the title for her first international title.
"Unexpected po, pinaghandaan ko ito pero nung makita ko ang la-lakas ng kalahok, pinairal ko na lang ang motivation na I'm from the Philippines na iginagalang sa larangan ng billiards. Diskarte ang panalo kontra experience this time," said Santos.
Last February, she dominated the Amit Cup Championship while also turning heads at the PSC Women's Sportsfest.
Santos wants to bring honor for the country by joining bigger tournaments which includes the Sharks Philippine 9-Ball Open on April 22.
"Wish ko ay matupad ang pangarap ko na makapaglaro para sa bansa like SEA Games, Asia and World [tournaments]", she added. (MARK MONTEJO, OJT
)