Gaga finally gets gold; Payla ends Asiad boxing gold drought

by Reuben Ezra Terrado

Antonio “Gaga” Gabica found redemption to his loss in the men’s
eight-ball finals by claiming the nine-ball gold, the first by the
Philippines in the Doha Asian Games, against compatriot Jeff De Luna,
11-7, in the 15th Asian Games cue sports competition at the Al Saad
Multi Purpose Hall.

The 34-year-old Gabica raced to an early 4-1 lead into a 10-4 advantage, which was too deep for De Luna to overcome.

The win gave the country its first gold medal after Gabica suffered
a heartbreaking loss in the finals of the men’s eight-ball singles two
days ago.

But Gabica used that defeat more as an inspiration on his way to the win.

“I am more confident because I won silver in the eight-ball
singles,” said Gabica in the Games’ official website. “When I lost the
final, I totally forgot about the game and focused on the 9 ball event.”

“I’d like thank the Filipinos here. We felt their support. When I go
back to the Philippines I will celebrate with my family,” Gabica added.

For the 22-year-old De Luna, it was still a fitting end to his 2006
campaign, a resume that includes placing third in the BSCP National
Open and a semifinal stint in the World Pool Championships.

After De Luna scored the initial point, Gabica took advantage of the early blunders by De Luna leading into a 4-1 start.

The match became out of hand when a four-to-nine combo by Gabica made it 7-2.

De Luna countered and scored a four-to-nine quick win of his own to close in at 7-4.

But the young De Luna incurred several miscues including a foul when
his clothing grazed a ball, which led to Gabica scoring three straight
racks for a 10-4 score.

Never giving up, De Luna mustered a comeback creating three straight
points of his own including the 17th where a battle of safeties
directed De Luna into a 10-7 mark.

That was the last time De Luna gained a point when he muffed a
three-to-nine combination paving the way for a sport-game in favor of
Gabica.

Gabica had a relatively easy time on his way to the final beating Jeoung Young Hwa of Korea, 11-5 in the semis.

De Luna beat Chinese Taipei’s Yang Ching Shun, 11-7, in the semifinals setting up an All-Filipino match-up.

Meanwhile, Iris Ranola came close to bagging a bronze medal when she
was defeated by Pan Xiaoting of China, 7-6, in a hill-to-hill game.

*****

DOHA, Qatar – Flyweight Violito Payla overwhelmed former world
champion Somjit Jongjohor of Thailand Tuesday to win the country’s
second gold medal in the 15th Asian Games.

Before a raucous crowd at the Aspire boxing hall, Payla offset
Jongjohor’s reach advantage with his quickness and agility as he
handily won the bout, 31-15.

There was little drama and excitement as Payla took control in the second round after trailing, 3-4, in the first round.

The 32-year-old Thai, who has beaten Payla thrice, appeared slow and was breathing hard at the end of the four-round bout.

Payla, 27, thus ended a 12-year gold medal drought in boxing with a
performance worthy of an Olympian. The quiet, unassuming boxer, who
bucked a sprained wrist to win five bouts, has yet to see action in the
Olympiad.

“I am looking to getting the gold in the Olympics for the
Philippines. I want to dedicate this honor to the Filipino who stayed
up late at night to watch my bouts,” Payla said.

Payla said he has improved a lot since his three defeats to Jongjohor. “This is my sweetest victory,” he said.

Jongjohor admitted he did not prepare enough. “But the game turned
around because of the judge. I think he pressed his button according to
the people around the ring,” the Thai claimed.

The victory brought to two the number of gold medals won by the Philippines with another boxer aiming for a third Wednesday.

Former Asian champion Joan Tipon, who outdueled Thai favourite Worapoj Pethckoom Monday, takes on Korean Han Soon Chul.

Tipon took it easy Tuesday after some oval run in the morning.

SOURCE: RPSports.com

*****

With three days to go, the Filipinos have so far won 2 golds, 4 silvers and 9 bronzes, including two in tennis Tuesday.