Biado claims 2017 World 9-Ball Championship crown
DOHA, December 15, 2017-World Games gold medalist Carlo Biado engraved 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 at the Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha on Thursday.
In winning the tournament, Biado became the fifth Filipino to win the men's title, and the first since Francisco Bustamante in 2010. The soft-spoken player finished on top of a competition that saw 128 players from over 40 countries compete for the top prize. The 34-year-old had laid down the marker right from the onset of the race-to-13 encounter after powering to a 7-0 lead before Garcia could get on the board, and the deficit proved too much for the 36-year-old Garcia to make up. Garcia, who once studied at the foot of the legendary Efren Reyes and is now based in Pattaya, Thailand, got to as close as 11-5 before Biado shut the door in under two hours.
The win earns Biado a $40,000 prize while Garcia receives $15,000 of a total prize fund of $200,000.
Biado and Garcia booked the final clash after dispatching opponents Wu Kun Lin of Taiwan and Klenti Kaci of Albania in their respective semi-finals.
The last-four matches were almost similar in terms of play for the two eventual finalists as they both found themselves neck-and-neck with their opponents in the early goings of their race-to-eleven matchups, with Biado and Kun all knotted up at three racks apiece, while Garcia and Kaci were tied at two racks each.
The Filipinos eventually pullled away with Biado going up 6-3 after nine racks, while Garcia took a 6-4 lead after ten racks.Kun and Kaci would not go down easily however, as they each pulled to within two racks apiece, but niether would go past the six-rack mark, as the Pinoys closed it out with identical 11-6 victories.
"I'm very happy. It's been a very long time but finally I reached the final and also won the trophy. I want to thank my family and my friends for being my inspiration. I was a little bit jittery in the semis but playing in the final was less of pressure for me. The position of the balls, for most part of the game, was a bit easier for me in the final. I played against a worthy opponent who has fantastic breaks. My plan is to go back to the Philippines and celebrate the victory before preparing for my next challenge - the China Open," an elated Biado said.
Biado, who won the championship after his ninth participation, added that the year had been tremendous for him after claiming two major prizes the World Games, which he won in Poland earlier this year, and now the World 9-Ball Championship.
Talking about his performance, Garcia said he believed he lost to a more worthy opponent.
"In my opinion, I think Biado deserved it much as he has been more committed and consistent in the game. Though I made some mistakes in the match but I believe Biado showed more determination and the will to win. Besides, I've not been fully committed to the sport as I'm involved in some other things beside billiards. I extend my congratulations to him and I wish myself better luck next time," Garcia said.
Meanwhile, Qatar will again play host to the next four editions of the tournament after the hosting agreement was renewed on Thursday.
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