By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Seven years, then rising star Carlo Biado joined an exclusive club of Filipino champions when he reigned supreme in the World 9-Ball Championship at 34 years old.
The win over Roland Garcia in an All-Filipino title clash, 13-5, capped an incredible year for Biado after also winning the gold medal in the World Games in Poland and the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
But at 40, life seems more exciting and prosperous for Biado.
Months after winning the World 10-Ball crown, Biado struck another fortune when he topped the World Pool Billiard Association Ho Chi Minh 9-Ball Open in Vietnam over the weekend.
Biado trounced Mario He of Austria, 13-8, to win the said tournament over the weekend that added another feather to his cap. He pocketed $40,000 (around P2.2 million)
The victory not only established Biado as one of the finest cue artists in the country, but also boosted his preparations for future tournaments that include the prestigious Reyes Cup in honor of the legendary Efren “Bata” Reyes.
“Nabuhay ang dugo ko at isip ko nang ako ang napili na Wild Card sa Reyes Cup. Nagbigay paalala sakin kung bakit ako naglalaro. Kung bakit ako palaging nabibiyayaan ng kampeonato,” Biado wrote on social media moments after his victory.
“Ang pangarap hindi natatapos sa isang pangarap! Kahit nakuha mo na lahat ng pangarap mo. Mangarap ka pang muli,” added Biado, who is also a world 9-ball champion in 2017.
Prior to his win over He, the two-time Southeast Asian Games champion had to go through the eye of the needle before beating Sanjin Phelivanonic of Bosnia, 11-10, in the semis.
Before that, Biado, who is turning 41 on Oct. 31, hardly encountered trouble beating compatriots Anton Raga, 11-4, and Val Pajuay, 11-3, in the quarterfinals and Round of 16, respectively.
