Filipino Carlo Biado added another title to his collection after topping a 64-man field in the Abu Dhabi Open 9-Ball Championship on early Friday (Nov. 12) morning at the Power Break Billiard Hall in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Biado, a former World 9-Ball Pool titlist, stamped his class over countryman Jordan Banares, 13-6, in their championship encounter.
The Filipino champion went undefeated throughout the tournament as he toppled compatriots Harry Vergara (11-8) in the semifinals, Roland García (11-5) in the quarterfinals, and Venancio Tanio (11-4) in the Round of 16.
Aside from that, he also defeated Mohamad Eiljeffrey of the United Arab Emirates (9-0) and another Filipino in Arnel Bautista (9-7) in the early rounds.
Banares, on the other hand, survived Bautista (11-7) in the semifinals to arrange a title showdown with Biado.
The other players whom Banares defeated were Aivhan Maluto (11-8) and Abdulla Alameri of the United Arab Emirates (11-7).
Banares and Bautista, both came from the loser’s brackets.
Biado took home a whopping 20,000 AED purse while Banares settled for the 10,000 AED runner-up prize in this tournament, organized by Abu Dhabi Pinoy-based Jayson Nuguid.
The pride of San Juan, La Union is fresh from winning the 256-man field in the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City, New Jersey last Sept. 19.
Biado became only the second Filipino to win the US Open after Efren “Bata” Reyes reigned supreme in 1994.
Alex Pagulayan also came out victorious in the 2005 edition, although he represented Canada during his title campaign.
“I’m very happy to win again, especially in an international tournament like this Abu Dhabi Open 9-Ball Championship. Maagang Pasko ito (Christmas came early!),” Biado said. (PR) – bny
