Lucky 4th for Biado

AFTER three failed attempts, Carlo Biado finally takes home the Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge 2012 title after beating Boots Agusto, 11-3, in the Class A finals at the SM City-Cebu Trade Hall yesterday.

“Pang fourth attempt ko na rin to. Siguro napapanahon na talaga na makuha ko ang title ng tournament na ito. For the past three years na pagsali ko rito, parati na lang sa semis lang ako aabot,” the 2011 Philippine National Open champion said.

With the top seeds exiting early in the tournament, Biado and Davaoeño Oliver Villafuerte were favored to win the tournament.

Unfortunately for Villafuerte, they met early and the Cebuano billiard fans were treated to classy billiard action when Biado beat Villafuerte in the quarterfinals, 9-7.

In the finals, it was all Biado as he took an early 4-0 en route to pocketing the P120,000 top prize. Augusto won the P60,000 runner-up prize.

Biado credited his good preparation before the tournament that helped him prevail over the strong competition.

“Maganda yung preparation ko bago sa tournament, kaya kompyansa talaga ako na manalo this year. Siguro, yun ang dahilan na maganda yung mga tira ko. Ang pinakahirap kong laban ang yung kay Villafuerte, tapos yung iba kayang kaya na,” added Biado.

It was Villafuerte who eliminated two-time world champion and 2005 titlist Ronnie Alcano in the round-of-16 last Saturday.

Augusto, who beat defending champion Ricky Zerna, booted out Cebuano bet Anthony Raga, 9-5, in the semifinal round, while Biado routed Renemar David, 9-1.

David went to beat Raga 9-6 in the battle for third place to pocket the P20,000 cash prize. Raga got P10,000 for placing fourth.

On the other hand, Jan Jan Javelosa pocketed P20,000 for winning the Class B title over Antonio Delfin, 9-6.

Jeffrey Fontanar of the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu/Mandaue Campus won the college title over a schoolmate, Louie James Boholst 8-6, and earned the right to represent Cebu in the National Inter-Collegiate Billiards championship slated in Manila in October.

Jomar Malait of Consolacion National High School won the high school title over John Abing of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, 6-5, while Joey Inot of Naga Central School beat Aaron Christian Doria of Inayawan Elementary School, 7-4, for the elementary title.