Centeno advances to 10-ball quarters in World Games

MANILA, Philippines — Chezka Centeno will carry the fight for the Filipino pool players after making it to the quarterfinals of the women’s 10-ball event despite succumbing to Chinese Han Yu, 7-6, Monday in the World Games in Chengdu, China.

The 2024 world 9-ball titlist will still finish in the top two in Group C regardless of the result of the duel pitting Han and American Savannah Easton, whom the former annihilated, 7-2, the day before, due to superior tiebreak score.

Centeno was left the lone Filipino pool player standing after countrymen Rubilen Amit and Jeffrey de Luna fell by the wayside and were eliminated.

Amit, a two-time world champion in this event, just couldn’t get the breaks and was unable to find her rhythm and lost her second straight match at the hands of Chinese Liu Shasha, 7-4.

Meanwhile, De Luna blew an 8-4 lead and lost to Hungarian Oliver Szolnoki, 9-8, and was likewise booted out.

Kaila Napolis, for her part, hopes to add another medal, perhaps a gold, to her silver she copped the day before in the -52-kilogram ne-waza event as she plunges into action in the heavier 63kg class starting Tuesday.

"I believe in miracles," said Napolis, part of the lean but mean delegation backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

"I don't know what will happen ahead since I will be battling other fighters in heavier divisions, but we'll see what I can do for the country. I'm always ready," she added.

Hergie Bacyadan, a Paris Olympian in boxing, launches her medal bid in women’s 70kg category in kickboxing, a sport where she is an Asian champion.

After losing, 0-18, against Switzerland, the men's floorball team is hoping to end its Chengdu mission on a high note when it faces the host nation in the classification match for seventh place at 10 p.m. Tuesday at the Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Centre.