Players Profile Series: Rubilen Amit, the global 9-Ball champion

Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit began playing billiards during her teens, but her first sport was basketball until she turned 12. At that age, her classmates started to focus on other activities, so her father took the opportunity to introduce her to billiards.

At first, she enjoyed playing with her cousins. But her father, Bobby, saw her potential and would incentivize her with prizes, such as shirts and pants, for winning each competition, until she often tagged along with her father at the Super Bowl in Makati.

She stopped competing for a while to obtain a college degree in accountancy at the University of Santo Tomas. Eventually, she returned to 9-ball and won 10 gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.

With her family’s encouragement, she was able to hone her keen eye and sensibilities. At the same time, she maintained composure under pressure, allowing her strategies to dismantle those of her opponents.

And now, the Philippines has no shortage of incredible athletes. One such sport is billiards, from which legendary players like Efren “Bata” Reyes have emerged. Yet, despite seeming to be an entirely male-dominated sport, a female champion has taken her rightful spot in the billiards hall of fame.

Amit is now a two-time WPA Women's World Ten-ball champion and the first Filipina pool player to become WPA Women's World Nine-ball champion in 2024. She is also the second Filipino player, after Carlo Biado, to win both ten-ball and nine-ball championships.

Rubilen Amit finally achieved her goal of winning the Massé WPA Women’s World 9-Ball Championship on September 8, 2024, in Hamilton, New Zealand. This is a historic win not only for her but also for the pride of the country.

Last year, she started the Amit Cup, where amateur women players can compete in a tournament. She hopes that future generations of Filipinas take up the mantle and prove that women are just as capable of excelling in this sport.