FILIPINO cue masters Carlo “The Black Tiger” Biado and Antonio “Gaga” Gabica on Thursday barged into the semifinal round of the 2013 World 9-Ball Championship after scoring contrasting quarterfinal wins at the Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.
Biado of Rosario, La Union overpowered Chris Melling of Great Britain, 11-3, while Gabica of Lapu-Lapu City, who has been based in Qatar for the last four years as an assistant coach for the Qatari national pool team, edged Nick Van den Berg of the Netherlands, 11-10.
“Malaking factor ‘yung suporta na ipinakikita nina Sir Perry at Mam Verna Mariano ng Bugsy International Promotions saka ng mga kababayan ko, sila ang naging ispirasyon ko at s’yempre ang pamilya ko na laging sumusuporta sa akin,” said the 29-year-old Biado, a former caddie-turned-billiard player.
“Hope pumabor ‘yung bola sa atin bukas (today),” said Biado, a former National Open champion and 2011 World Ten Ball Championship semifinalist.
On the way to the Final 4, Biado toppled Shane Van Boening of the United States, 11-10, in the Round of 32 and Fabio Petroni of Italy, 11-10, in the Round of 16.
Gabica on the other hand vowed to give it his all for a breakthrough win in the world championship.
“Gagawin ko ang best ko na manalo muli tayo,” said the 41-year-old Gabica who won the gold medal in the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
Gabica nipped Oliver Ortmann of Germany, 11-8, and Ko Pin Yi of Chinese-Taipei, 11-9, to advance to the semis.
PH VS EUROPE
Yesterday’s semifinal wars was a Philippine vs Europe affair after German Thorsten Hohmann of Germany and Karl Boyes of Great Britain won their respective quarters matches.
Hohmann outclassed last year’s World 9-Ball Champion Darren Appleton of Great Britain, 11-5, in the Round of 32, Dennis Orcollo of the Philippines, 11-8, in the Round of 16 and Jeffrey de Luna of the Philippines, 11-7, in the Round of 8.
Boyes, meanwhile, routed Huidji See of the Netherlands, 11-8, Lo Li Wen of Chinese-Taipei, 11-10 and Nick Ekonomopoulos of Greece, 11-8.
In the semis, Gabica, who is a former Athlete of the Year awardee of the Sportwriters Association of Cebu (SAC) will face Boyes while Biado will battle Hohmann. Both semifinal matches will be played simultaneously at the Al Arabi Sports Indoor Stadium beginning at 1:30 p.m. Doha time(GMT +3.) on Friday while the race-to-13, alternate break final will begin at 5 p.m.
The winner of the 2013 World 9-ball Championship will receive $36,000 while the runner-up will pocket $18,000 from the $250,000 prize fund.