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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Reyes, Pagulayan, Alcano, Bustamante, and now Biado.
Carlo Biado added his name among the greats of Filipino billiards by capturing the 2017 World 9-Ball Championship with a 13-5 victory over compatriot Roland Garcia, Thursday, December 14 at the Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.
The 34-year-old Biado of La Union became the fifth Filipino to ever win the men’s title, and the first since Francisco Bustamante in 2010, finishing on top of a competition that saw 128 players from over 40 countries compete for the top prize.
“I’m so proud to be one of them. This is the best thing that could ever happen to me. I have worked very hard for many years and now my dream has come true,” said Biado in a press release from the World Pool Billiard Association.
Biado raced out to a 7-0 lead before Garcia could get on the board, and the deficit was too much for the 36-year-old from Pampanga to make up. Garcia, now based out of Pattaya, Thailand, got to as close as 11-5 before Biado shut the door in under two hours.
“It’s been a long time. I worked very hard, had many disappointments. And now finally I won the world title,” said Biado.
“There was less pressure in the final because even if I don’t win, at least a Filipino will get the title. I was very comfortable, that’s why I played well. Also the balls were always in an easy position after the break.”
Biado says his experience in high pressure situations prepared him for this moment, and he didn’t let it slip by.
“When I won the world games there was a lot of pressure, more than here because there were so many people watching. After I won in Poland against Jayson Shaw I just felt so good and so much more confident when I entered other events. That was a really big help to my confidence and I know it definitely helped me this week and today.”
The win earns Biado a $30,000 prize, nearly equal to all that he’d won throughout all of 2017, according to AZBilliards.com. Garcia will receive $15,000 of a total prize fund totaling $200,000. – Rappler.com
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