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Tag: Billiards

  • Filipina Chezka Centeno denies match-fixing claims after falling short of historic World 10-Ball title

    Filipina Chezka Centeno denies match-fixing claims after falling short of historic World 10-Ball title

    Filipina cue artist Chezka Centeno has cemented her status as one of the world’s premier young pool players, with a decorated career highlighted by multiple world titles and international accolades.

     

    However, her latest campaign at the World Pool Association (WPA) Women’s World 10-Ball Championship ended in heartbreak after she fell short of another historic milestone.

    Centeno suffered a 4-1, 4-0, 1-4, 0-4, 4-0 defeat to Margarita Fefilove in the championship match held in Rome, Italy on Thursday, August 6, missing out on the opportunity to claim a record-breaking third world 10-ball title.

     

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    The loss also denied the 27-year-old the chance to become the first player—male or female—to win three world 10-ball championships and the first athlete to capture back-to-back titles in the event. Centeno previously ruled the tournament in 2023 in Austria and successfully defended her crown in 2025 in Indonesia.

     

    While the defeat was difficult to accept, Centeno revealed that the most painful part was facing accusations from some fans who alleged that she intentionally lost the match and was involved in match-fixing.

     

    Addressing the controversy, the Zamboanga City native dismissed the claims and emphasized that mistakes are part of any sport, even at the highest level.

    “I understand why some people are disappointed with the outcome, but everyone has off matches. I have seen the match-fixing accusations circulating in some Filipino comment sections, and while I know they don’t represent everyone, those claims are simply not true. Miscues and mistakes happen, even at the highest level. That’s the reality of sports,” Centeno wrote in a Facebook post.

     

    Centeno acknowledged that she was unable to deliver her best performance in the final but gave full credit to Fefilove for producing the stronger showing when it mattered most.

     

    “I stepped to the table with one goal: to defend my title. Unfortunately, things didn’t go my way, and my mistakes cost me the match. That’s part of competition, no matter how difficult it is to accept,” Centeno said.

     

    “That said, Margarita played a great match, earned the championship, and deserves every bit of the credit,” she added.

     

    Despite falling short in the final, Centeno remained proud of her overall tournament performance. She earned $33,000 for finishing runner-up after winning six consecutive matches on her way to the championship clash.

     

    “I’m proud of how hard I worked to reach the finals, even though the ending wasn’t what I had hoped for. I’m allowing myself to be proud of that, and I’m also choosing to give myself the same grace I would give any other athlete who gave everything they had,” Centeno concluded.

     

    Centeno’s journey in pool began at just five years old, and by the age of 11, she was already competing in the Philippine National Games. Since then, she has developed into one of the Philippines’ most accomplished cue sports athletes, earning world championship honors and representing the country on the international stage.

     

    Beyond her success in individual competitions, Centeno has also been a key contributor to Philippine sports, winning four gold medals across three editions of the Southeast Asian Games.

    Although she missed out on another piece of history in Rome, Centeno’s continued success at the highest level further strengthens her reputation as one of the greatest Filipino pool players of her generation.

     

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  • Filipino pool icon Carlo Biado captures Predator PBC Indonesia International Open crown after thrilling comeback

    Filipino pool icon Carlo Biado captures Predator PBC Indonesia International Open crown after thrilling comeback

    Filipino pool superstar Carlo Biado continues to strengthen his reputation as one of the world’s elite cue artists after adding another major international title to his already impressive career.

     

    The veteran cue master delivered a composed and resilient performance over the weekend, capturing the 2026 Predator PBC Indonesia International Open crown in Jakarta, Indonesia, after overcoming fellow Filipino Paolo Gallito in a thrilling all-Filipino championship match.

     

    Biado battled through a tightly contested final, overcoming an early deficit before completing a remarkable comeback victory. Trailing 5-8 at one point, the 42-year-old showcased the experience, mental toughness, and championship composure that have defined his career, rallying to win the match 10-9 and claim another prestigious title on the international stage.

     

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    The victory not only added another trophy to Biado’s decorated collection but also earned him a significant financial reward, with the Filipino champion taking home $25,000 (approximately P1,538,087) in prize money. Gallito, who produced an impressive run throughout the tournament, received $12,000 (approximately P738,282) for his runner-up finish.

     

    Following his triumph, Biado expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported him throughout his championship campaign, acknowledging the encouragement and belief that helped him achieve another career milestone.

     

    “What an incredible journey! I made it again. I would like to thank everyone who supported me throughout this tournament. Your prayers, encouragement, and unwavering support have meant the world to me,” Biado wrote on social media.

    The Filipino champion also took time to recognize Gallito’s outstanding performance and praised his fellow countryman for making the Philippines proud with his impressive showing in the tournament.

     

    “To my opponent, Paolo Gallito, congratulations on an amazing tournament. Thank you for making every Filipino proud. Your time will come – keep believing and keep working. Makukuha mo rin ‘yan,” he added.

     

    Biado’s victory further highlighted the Philippines’ dominance in international pool competition. His championship marked the third consecutive year that a Filipino player has captured the Predator PBC Indonesia International Open title, following the previous victories of Jeffrey Ignacio and Sean Mark Malayan in earlier editions of the tournament.

     

    The achievement reflects the depth of Filipino talent in the sport and reinforces the country’s status as one of the world’s strongest nations in professional pool. With a long history of producing elite players, the Philippines continues to make its presence felt in major international competitions.

     

    For Biado, the latest championship serves as another confidence boost as he prepares for his next major challenge. The newly crowned Indonesia Open champion is now turning his attention toward defending his Asian Pool Championship title, which is scheduled to take place later this week in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

     

    Despite his long list of accomplishments, Biado remains motivated to continue representing the Philippines and competing at the highest level.

     

    “Time to defend my title at the Asian Pool Championship. I’m ready to give my very best once again and proudly represent the Philippines. See you in Vietnam. Let’s keep raising the Philippine flag high!,” Biado concluded.

     

    With another international title secured and another major tournament ahead, Biado continues to prove why he remains one of the most respected and successful figures in world pool.

     

     

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  • SBA founder Hadley Mariano is aiming to redefine the sport of billiards in the Philippines

    SBA founder Hadley Mariano is aiming to redefine the sport of billiards in the Philippines

    The Philippines has long been a breeding ground for world-class billiards talent, producing legends such as Efren “Bata” Reyes, Django Bustamante, and Carlo Biado, among many others. Despite the international success of Filipino cue artists, billiards has remained largely a hobby or side pursuit in the country, with few opportunities for players to earn a stable income.

     

    Traditionally, Filipino billiards players earn money only through tournament prize money, which depends on how far they advance. Travel costs, accommodation, and tournament buy-ins often fall on the players themselves, resulting in many competing at a net loss rather than profit.

     

    Hadley Mariano, founder of the Sharks Billiards Association (SBA), is determined to change that. His vision is to make billiards a sustainable career in the Philippines—one that rewards skill, professionalism, and dedication.

     

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    Through SBA, Mariano has established a professional 9-ball, team-based league that provides players with monthly salaries, shifting the focus from survival to performance.

     

    “We have very few tournaments. I think tournaments for billiards are not the way to go. It’s a vicious cycle: players buy in, lose, and walk away empty-handed,” Mariano told The GAME.

    “So I think the league is a much more sustainable business model than a tournament. For one, the league lasts for a long time. Brand partners, media partners get exposure for a longer period. At the same time, our players receive salaries. This removes the negative pressure of ‘if I lose, I have nothing to eat.’ It replaces it with positive pressure: ‘If I lose, I will let my team down.’ That’s what we want to instill—loyalty to the brand, to the team, and to their city.”

     

    The SBA’s efforts don’t stop at professional players. The organization is preparing to launch SBA Next, a minor league designed to identify and nurture the next generation of Filipino billiards talent. Aspiring players must be at least 18 years old, hold a professional license, and be registered with the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

     

    “We are trying not to be very stringent because billiards is already struggling for attention—basketball, volleyball, football dominate the spotlight. Everyone is welcome as long as they have a GAB permit and a professional license. They can approach one of our stable owners,” Mariano explained.

     

    In addition, Mariano plans to launch Official SBA Pool Hubs, partnering with local pool halls across the Philippines to scout and recruit potential players for league teams, creating a nationwide talent pipeline.

     

    With the establishment of stable salaries, structured leagues, and talent development programs, the SBA is positioning itself as a transformative force in Filipino billiards. Mariano’s vision is clear: to create a professional environment where players can focus on excellence, build careers, and bring renewed respect and visibility to the sport in the Philippines.

     

    As Mariano concludes, the goal is not just about prize money—it’s about creating opportunities, fostering loyalty, and building a sustainable future for billiards in the country, where talent is nurtured, careers are secured, and the next generation of Filipino cue artists can thrive both locally and internationally.

     

     

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  • AJ Manas snags second place in CTPBA Pro Tour Grand Finals

    AJ Manas snags second place in CTPBA Pro Tour Grand Finals

    Filipino billiards rising star AJ Manas secured a runner-up finish at the 2026 CTPBA Pro Tour Grand Finals on Tuesday night, narrowly falling to Taiwanese veteran Ko Pin-yi in a tightly contested final in Taipei, Taiwan. 

     

    The 18-year-old Manas took an early lead in the championship match, racing out to an 8–4 advantage and later extending it to 12–9 in the race-to-13 showdown.

     

    His aggressive and composed play in the early racks gave hope to Filipino supporters in the crowd that he could capture the title.

     

    However, Ko, a 36-year-old Taiwanese cue legend and former world No. 1, mounted a dramatic comeback in the closing stages. 

    Displaying his vast experience, Ko strung together a decisive 5–0 run to edge out Manas 13–12 and claim the Grand Finals title before the home fans.

     

    Manas, known as “Starboy,” had earlier impressed throughout the two-day event by outplaying several top contenders. He advanced through stacked groups and delivered key victories in the knockout rounds, including wins over local Taiwanese players Lu Hui-Chan and Ko Ping-Han to secure his place in the final four.

     

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    The young Filipino’s runner-up finish earned him US $3,175 (around ₱188,000), while Ko’s championship brought him the top prize of US $6,350 (approximately ₱376,000)

     

    Manas’ showing in Taipei reinforces the momentum he has built since bursting onto the international scene. In 2025, he was named MVP of the Reyes Cup, helping Team Asia to victory against the Rest of the World and gaining praise from Philippine pool icons for his poise under pressure.

     

    Despite the heartbreaking one-rack loss in the final, Manas remains a player to watch as he continues his stretch of international competition. He is entered in upcoming events, including the Universal Chinese Taipei 9-Ball Open, where he will continue to face a strong field of global cue athletes.

     

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