The Philippines once again asserted its dominance in the world of billiards as Chezka Centeno and Lee Van Corteza secured victories at the Las Vegas 10-Ball Open of the Predator Pro Billiards Series held at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino.
In a remarkable display of skill and precision, Centeno emerged victorious in the women’s division, defeating former world nine-ball champion Chen Siming of China with a score of 4-2, 4-2. Meanwhile, Corteza showcased his prowess in the men’s division by triumphing over fellow Filipino and former world nine-ball king Carlo Biado with a score of 4-2, 4-3.
Centeno, a 24-year-old native of Zamboanga City, clinched her second major title after previously reigning supreme in the WPA World 10-Ball Championship held in Klagenfurt, Austria, last October. Her victory earned her a substantial $18,000 purse (approximately P1 million), further solidifying her status as a formidable force in the sport.
On the other hand, Corteza, a seasoned player with numerous accolades including being a World Cup of Pool winner and a six-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, claimed the men’s title and a prize of $30,000 (around P1.7 million). Despite falling short in the final, Biado received $14,000 (approximately P783,000) for his runner-up finish.
Centeno’s path to victory included notable victories over top players such as Austrian Jasmin Ouschan, Briton Alisson Fisher, Chou Chieh-Yu, and Korean Seo Seoa. Similarly, Corteza faced formidable opponents throughout the tournament, overcoming challenges from World No. 2 Fedor Gorst, American Skyler Woodward, Greek Alex Kazakis, and Taiwanese Ko Ping Chung.
While Biado ultimately fell to Corteza in the all-Filipino finale, his journey to the final included an impressive victory over World No. 1 Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz in the semifinals, showcasing the depth of talent within the Filipino billiards community.
