Two-Time world pool champion Rubilen Amit says she has just started conditioning before getting into full-blown training.
The top-ranked Filipina cue artist went through some personal problems because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She recounted the battle she went through last year.
“Last year, my second father, I lost him because of COVID. It was a big blow sa amin, sa family ko, and doon pa lang, nakita ko na na totoo ‘to. Nakakatakot. Kaya nga when I say na hindi ako lumalabas ng bahay, it’s because of that,” she said.
“But then, I try to do what I can to protect my family. Kaya rin ako nag-start mag-attend ng webinar about mental health is because I am trying to somehow process ‘yung mga nangyari.”
Since she is just about to start her usual training routine, Amit is doubling her efforts to catch up to her opponents’ status in the upcoming 2021 Southeast (SEA) Asian Games.
“A good friend of mine, ‘yong pinaka-competitor ko sa SEA Games, from time to time she would message me or give me a call. Kinukumusta ako. Tinatanong nga n’ya if we’re vaccinated already. Sila raw kasi vaccinated na, so they started training,” Amit said.
“In terms of being at a disadvantage, of course, you can’t help but think na ‘yong iba, nagsimula na. But I believe in the sports of billiards, malaking percentage ang mental side. So right now, I am doing what I can to be able to somehow prepare and always be ready na ‘pag nag-start na ako ng training, equipped pa rin ang mental side ko.”
The veteran cue artist is now having her own training center constructed for her preparation for the 2021 SEA Games.
Report By Mae Ann Fajardo/ JBB
