GANDY VALLE

VIENTIANE, Laos — The Philippines began the second half of its campaign in the 25th Southeast Asian Games with a sure gold medal when Ronnie Alcano and Gandy Valle battled for the gold medal in billiards Monday at the Don Chan Palace Hotel.

Alcano, the defending champion, faced Valle in the 8-ball pool singles final at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. Manila time).

Both pool stars disposed of separate opponents in the semifinals Sunday.

Alcano took the measure of Dechawat Poomjaeng of Thailand, 7-3, while Valle was even more impressive in whipping Indonesian Ricky Yang, 7-1.

A second gold could come from Rubilen Amit, who was battling Angeline Ticoal of Indonesia in the women’s 8-ball pool singles finals.

Amit barely scraped past Malaysian

Joanne Suhana, 5-4, in the quarterfinals before routing Duong Thuy of Vietnam, 5-2, in the semifinals.

Mary Ann Basas, the other Filipino bet in the event, was eliminated by Malaysian Esther Kwan, 4-5.

The Philippines has so far collected 12 golds, 16 silvers, and 19 bronzes to retain sixth spot.

Also in action Monday were pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes and Reynaldo Grandea in the English billiards event.

Reyes, returning from a shock defeat in the 9-ball pool doubles with Django Bustamante, takes on Malaysian Moh Loon while Grandea tangles with Vietnamese Nguyen Trung Kien.

The Philippines was also eyeing two gold medals in the muay finals.

Light flyweight Roland Claro was set to face Laos’ Soukhanh Taypanyavong while lightweight Zaidi Laruan took on Vixay Bounthavy also of Laos.

Over at the SEA Games Golf Club, the Philippines was engaged in a pitch battle with Thailand for the men’s and women’s team championship.

The Filipinos began the final round with a one-shot lead in the women’s section and a four-shot deficit in the men’s side.

Eight final events were on tap in athletics at the National Stadium starting at 3 p.m. with Rene Herrera defending his 3,000-meter steeplechase crown.

Swimming concludes Monday evening with seven gold medals on tap.

Fil-American James Walsh and the men’s team are defending their men's 200-meter butterfly and 4 x 100-meter medley crowns, respectively.

Walsh and brother Robert Walsh qualified in the 200-meter butterfly, Erica Totten advanced in the women’s 200-meter butterfly, Miguel Molina and Jessie Lacuna made it into the 200-meter freestyle and Jasmine Alkhadi and Heidi Ong booked spots in the women’s 50-meter freestyle.

In boxing, three women fighters were set to fight separate Thailand opponents in the semifinals.

Light flyweight Alice Kate Aparri was pitted against Duennapha Ngamlam, flyweight Annie Albania battled Sopida Satumrum and featherweight Mitchel Martinez took on Peamwilai Laopeam.

Tennis action resumed with Fil-American Treat Huey facing Sunu Wahyu Trijati of Indonesia.

After his match, Huey was set to return to play the doubles with Cecil Mamiit against Vietnam’s Le Quoc Khanh and Do Minh Quan.

In other matches, Johnny Arcilla and Patrick Tierro were fighting Thai twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana in men’s doubles, Riza Zalameda faced Nudnida Luangnam of Thailand and the tandem of Denise Dy and Mamitt tangled with Laos’ Daravanh Singthinh and Donedy Keodalasouk.