CARLO BIADO rocked the world of pool when almost everyone else was asleep at dawn on Sunday, coming from 10 racks down to beat Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp, 13-8, to win the US Open Pool Championship at the Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Biado’s conquest of one of the world’s most prestigious pool tournaments ended a 27-year drought since the living legend Efren “Bata” Reyes won the same trophy at the expense of Nick Varner in 1994 in Chesapeake, Virginia.
“I’m very happy because this event is one of my dreams,” a teary-eyed Biado said after the match as reported by CNN Philippines.
Biado, 37, and the 2017 World Games 9-ball champion, claimed the green jacket, the unique trophy patterned after the US map and the top prize of $50,000.
“I am lost for words. I feel grateful to be in the final and all the fans have been awesome so thank you,” Yapp, who banked the runner-up prize of $25,000, told the Singapore Straits Times. “I know I can do it. I am coming back stronger next year.”
The 2017 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist was in a 3-8 hole when Yapp saw his streak end. Biado came up big by cleanuping all the 10 racks on the way to the crown.
Biado survived two grueling matches—against compatriot Johann Chua in the quarterfinals, 11-10, and Japanese Naoyuki Oi in the semifinals, 11-9—on the way to the finals.
Yapp, on the other hand, beat Filipino Dennis Orcollo in the semifinals, 11-6. Before that, the 2014 world junior 9-ball champion shoved aside five-time US Open champion and top-ranked Shane van Boening of the US in the last 16 and world No. 2 Joshua Filler of Germany in the third round.
The Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines, according to its Secretary General Robert Mananquil, said in a statement that “Biado’s triumph after Efren [Reyes] in 1994 would encourage more Filipinos to bring out their cue sticks again.”
“It’s a great and sweet victory for Biado and the Philippines despite the pandemic,” Mananquil told BusinessMirror. “He hardly had time to practice with his fellow pros because of global lockdown. He practiced all by himself at his pool table at home.”
Malacañang lauded Biado’s victory and in a brief statement issued on Sunday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque thanked Biado for bringing pride and honor to the country.
He said the government always believed in the world-class talent of Biado.
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte personally conferred Carlo a presidential citation for winning a gold medal in the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in 2017,” Roque said.