Antonio Lining - 2nd in China Open World 9-Ball 2010

Chinese billiards players swept the men’s and women’s crowns in the 2010 China Open World 9-Ball on Sunday, underscoring the nation’s reputation as an emerging superpower in the sport.

Yu Long Zhang lifted the men's title after beating Filipino Antonio “Nickoy” Lining, 11-7, in their championship showdown at the Minya Hotel in Shanghai, China.

His victory highlighted a brilliant day for China which also dominated the Partypoker.net World Cup of Pool Tournament held last September 12 at the Robinsons Place, Manila where the pair of Li He-wen and Fu Jian-bo edged the Filipino tandem of Dennis “Robocop” Orcullo and Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez for the title.

In the semifinal round, Zhang beat 2010 Predator Sweet 16 champion Lee Vann “The Slayer” of the Philippines, 11-7, while Lining, the pride of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro defeated Liu Hai Tao of China, 11-7.

In the women's championship battle, Si Ming Chen edged Allison Fisher of Great Britain, 9-7, to complete the Chinese supremacy in the tournament. Chen is the student of former World Pool champion Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan.

The championship was worth $40,000 for Zhang and $26,000 for Chen.

Other Filipino pool players who competed in the week-long event are Efren “Bata” Reyes who won the 10th Predator World 10-Ball title last Sept. 18, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo, Jeffrey “The Bull” de Luna, Vinancio “Tukao” Tanio and Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat in the men's competition and Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit in the distaff side.