Biado trips Gomez, rules Bali 9-ball

MANILA, Philippines - Carlo Biado trounced Roberto Gomez, 11-5, in an all-Filipino final to capture the Green Garden 9-Ball Open crown in Bali, Indonesia recently.

It was Biado’s third victory in four months after ruling the BSCP National Pool Championships last November. The 28-year-old La Union native also toppled Taiwanese ace Chang Jung-lin, 9-7, to top the Philippine Bigtime Billiards Face Off Series last December at Pagcor Airport Casino.

Biado took home the top $6,500 prize while Gomez settled for $2,500.

Biado also reached the semifinals of last year’s World 10-Ball Championship after beating former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, former world 9-ball titlist Daryl Peach of Great Britain and former world 8-ball champion and world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo.

He, however, bowed to China’s Fu Jianbo, 9-5, in the semifinals of the event topped by The Netherland’s Huidjee See.

“Carlo is one of the underrated players in the country today,” said sportsman/businessman Perry Mariano, a long-time backer of Biado.

Orcollo didn’t see action in Bali to prepare for his match against Chang in the PBB Face Off Series on March 10 at the Hermes Sports Bar and Star Billiards Center in QC.

The other Filipinos who vied in the Green Garden 9-Balls Open tournament were Jeffrey de Luna, Jundel Mazon and Rodrigo Geronimo.