Aloysius Yapp has upped the ante on his preparations for the upcoming SEA Games as he aims to end Singapore's 10-year wait for a pool gold medal at the biennial Games.

He has put school on hold temporarily and has begun intensive full-time training, clocking up to 10 hours daily in the run-up to the June 5-16 extravaganza.

On Monday, the 19-year-old will travel to Portugal, accompanied by his coach and mentor, Paul Pang, to compete in the European 9-ball tour event.

It will be the first time that Yapp is competing in the tournament and he revealed what he hopes to learn during his week in Europe.

"I am using the competition in Portugal as a training stint. I will give my best there and take it one match at a time."

"I have been working hard for the SEA Games and I am quite confident.

"The World Junior Championships (which he won) was a big boost to my confidence and I want to keep it going and hopefully win a gold medal for Singapore at the SEA Games."

Yapp was speaking on the sidelines of the inaugural Cuesports Festival, held at the OCBC Arena during the weekend. He competed in the Men's pool race-to-9 competition and ended as a runner-up behind winner, Toh Lian Han.