The left handed Antonio "Nicoy" Lining is underrated as a master of the game. In 9-ball money games, nobody gives Nicoy even the slightest handicap, Efren included. The reason why Lining does not have the same fame as the other Filipino masters is because he chose his turf to be in Asia. American tournaments expose players to the public far more than Asian and European tournaments. As his pool game is, Nicoy lives in a practical world. Playing in the USA costs more, especially because tournaments are at least one week apart, not to mention the plane fare. In Japan, both exhibition match invitations and money games come easily. Nicoy operates independently, if he can help it. His decision to take a different approach in his profession does not make him less of a force to recon with. He believes that he can fight toe to toe with the best in the business from anywhere in the world.
But in a brief stint in the USA in 1999, Lining managed to get a #17 Camel Pro rank with joining only seven tournaments. It was once said by Earl the Pearl that nobody ever wants to draw an Antonio Lining at the early stages of a tournament because of his being a Giant Killer. Lining's reaction - Why cannot giants kill other giants?. On the same breath, he would say that it is hard for anybody in Manila not to have Efren Bata Reyes for an idol, and that he is impressed with Earl's precision.
Nicoy is a humble, sentimental person He looks back to his older brother, Raffy, as his inspiration in taking his game to a serious level even as he pursued his education. Nicoy maintains camaraderie among less skilled players, often giving them breaks by taking them with him to Asian countries on Invitationals and exhibitions. He fondly admires the up and coming players and almost wishes them good luck when speaking about them. Nicoy looks you straight in the eyes in conversation. Lining has an eight table pool place which he chose to put in his hometown Mindoro. Outside of playing pool, you will probably find him enjoying Karaoke.
In the 2000 All-Japan Championship, which he took from Cardiff WPA 2-time Champion Fong-Pang Chao in the finals, which included Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, and Efren Reyes to mention a few. This is despite a lingering ailment on his shooting forearm, which has bothered him for nine years now. Lining believes that more championships still await him in his 10 years or so of still competitive pool. This fighter never says no to a good fight, and when he starts fighting, he loses all his compassion for mankind and completely focuses on equipment.
Personal Information
Name : Antonio Lining
Residence : Manila, Philippines
DOB : May 6, 1963
Birthplace : Pinawalayan, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
Career History
2000 All Japan Championship
1999 Muntinlupa National Open - Muntinlupa, Philippines
1998 Amagsaki Open - Amagsaki, Japan
1997 Pasay National Open - Davao, Philippines
1996 B's Open - Tokyo, Japan
1995 Davao National Open - Davao, Philippines
1994 Asian Championships - Taipei, Taiwan
1994 1st Indonesian Open - Jakarta, Indonesia
1992 Tung Pa Open - Taipei, Taiwan
1992 Hemeji Open - Osaka, Japan
1989 Scratch Open - Osaka, Japan
