Amee Kamani clinches Asian silver after going down to Constantino in title clash

India’s Amee Kamani failed to build on the promising start and went down 2-6 to Filipino Rhaki Constantino in the women’s gold medal clash of the Asian Heyball Championships in Shah Alam, Malaysia, on Wednesday.

The Indian ace, who began on a strong note in the race-to-6 final, failed to maintain the tempo and gave her rival a look-in. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, Constantino capitalized on Amee’s largesse to take a vice-like grip on the proceedings.

The Filipino, who had also accounted for Amee in the first round, gave the Indian little chance. Amee, who came through the losers’ bracket after her opening loss to Constantino, lost the third and fourth frames from a position of strength.

Although the Indian reduced the margin with some clever safety play in the fifth frame, the Filipino raised her game several notches thereafter. She played the big points well to put the World Championships bronze medallist under pressure.

With some stunning potting and brilliant cue-ball control, Constantino ran through the sixth and seventh frames to take a 5-2 lead. In the eighth frame, Amee had a chance to pull one back but missed a pot to the bottom left-hand pocket. The Filipino then quickly ended Amee’s agony and walked away with the trophy.

Results: Women (final): Rhaki Constantino (Phi) bt Amee Kamani (Ind) 6-2. Semifinals:  Constantino bt Angeline Ticoalu (Ina) 6-3; Amee bt Waratthanun Sukritthanes (Thai) 6-5.