MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) feted 2-time World Pool Championship (WBC) 9-ball titlist Carlo Biado at the PSC office in PhilSports Complex in Pasig on Friday.
Winning the 2017 edition of the said tournament, Biado reclaimed the championship this year after dethroning Fedor Gorst in the final, 15-13, last week in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The 41-year-old became the first Filipino to win two world titles in the process.
PSC gave Biado a plaque of recognition in the ceremony attended by fellow Pinoy pool champs Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, and Chezka Centeno alongside the godfather of local pool Aristeo ‘Putch’ Puyat
Reyes ruled the 9-ball tiff back in 1999; Bustamante in 2010, and Ronnie Alcano in 2006 albeit he wasn’t around during the ceremony.
Centeno, on the other hand, ruled the Women’s World 10-Ball in 2023.
“To honor Carlo’s remarkable achievement, the PSC is donating a complete and premium billiard set under Carlo’s name to the athlete’s chosen community—a recognition of his excellence by paying forward his legacy to the billiards community and inspiring the rise of new champions,” PSC wrote in a Facebook post Friday.
Biado is headed to the United States for more pool action at the Florida and US Open.
Offering a $200,000 prize fund including $40,000 or more than P2.2 million for the champion, the inaugural Florida Open is set from August 5 to 10 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
Meanwhile, the US Open is slated from August 18 to 23 at the Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City in New Jersey.
The tournament sports a $500,000 prize fund with the winner bagging $100,000 or P5.7 million.