Centeno takes quarters exit

MANILA, Philippines — Chezka Centeno’s bid for a breakthrough WPA World Women’s 9-Ball crown came to a crashing end yesterday after falling to Russia Kristina Tkach, 0-4, 4-3, 4-3, 4-1, in the quarterfinals yesterday in Jacksonville, Florida.

It was a heartbreaking result for the 26-year-old Zamboanga City native, who was hoping to add another world crown after claiming a second 10-ball title in Bali, Indonesia last October.

It wasn’t a bad year for Centeno overall, though, as she also took the silver in both the World 8-Ball tilt in Green Bay, Wisconsin last July and in the World Games in Chengdu, China the next month.

She also topped the Indonesia International Mixed Doubles with countryman Jeff de Luna and the M Arena Ladies Open in Jakarta last July.

“My fight for the World 9-Ball Championship title ends here – for now. I gave it my best this tournament, and overall, I felt good about how I was playing, especially considering I only switched to a new playing cue just last month,” said Centeno on her social media account.

Centeno vowed to come back stronger next year.

“There is still a lot of work to be done, and I know I need to dedicate more time to fully mastering my new cue,” she said.

Rubilen Amit, for her part, saw her title defense end a round earlier after falling to Chinese Liu Shasha, 4-3, 4-2, 4-0.