Pinoy Biado collars Bali 9-ball title
Carlo “The Black Tiger” Biado beat Bugsy Promotions stablemate Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez, 11-5 in an-all Filipino final to rule the 2012 Green Garden 9-Ball Open held last Feb. 23 to 26 at the Green Garden Hotel in Kuta Beach in Bali, Indonesia.
Biado, a former caddie-turned-billiards player, took home the $6,500 champion’s prize while Gomez of Zamboanga City bagged the $2,500 runner-up prize in the 128-player event.
It was the 28-year-old Biado’s first major title of 2012 after winning the 2011 BSCP National Pool Championships last November at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City. He also beat Taiwanese ace Chang Jung-lin, 9-7, in the Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face Off Series last December at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Parañaque City.
Biado, a rising pool player made headlines in the 2011 World Ten-Ball Championships when he ousted three world champions: Ronato Alcano in the Last 32, former World 9-Ball champion Daryl Peach of Great Britain in the Last 16 and World 8-Ball champion Dennis Orcollo in the quarter-final round. However, he lost to China’s Fu Jianbo, 9-5, in the semi-finals.
Bugsy Promotions top honcho Ceferino “Perry” Mariano, a long-time benefactor of Biado, said the pool player deserves better recognition with his latest achievement.
“Carlo is the most underrated player today,” said Mariano.
Orcollo, who skipped the tournament to focus on his upcoming match with Chang in the PBB Face Off Series on March 10.
“Si Carlo ay isa sa pinakamagaling na players sa bansa bukod kay Lee Vann,” said Orcollo, who will share the PSA Athlete of the Year award with boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. this Saturday at the Manila Hotel. /Corresondent Marlon Bernardino
