Fisher sends Centeno packing
Filipina Chezka Centeno's run in the World Women's 9-Ball Championship came to an end as she bowed to a more experienced, more composed Allison Fisher of Great Britain, 7-9, in their quarterfinals showdown Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) at the Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The Pinay cue artist went off to a slow start, trailing 0-4, which she tried to repeatedly overcome, but the 54-year-old, world's No. 5 player and owner of 60 titles sanctioned by the World-Pool Billiard Association was just too calm, too collected to overcome.
Centeno didn't go down without putting up a fight as she was able to pick up her first back-to-back rack victories in the 14th and 15th racks to shove within striking distance, 8-7.
But the four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, Centeno, just couldn't finish the job as her more poised rival was able to wrap up the victory.
Centeno made it all the way to the quarterfinal round after winning convincingly over Margaret Fefilova of Belarus, 9-3.
The first time these two players met, it was Fefilova who was able to take control of the match, leading 5-1, before Centeno made a late charge and pulled off a victory in a hill-hill encounter, 7-6.
This time, there's no denying Centeno.
After seeing her compatriot and pool idol, Rubilen Amit crashing out with a 3-7 loss to Seoa Seo of South Korea, 7-3, Centeno left no doubt in running away with a decisive victory over Fefilova.
Both players, though, suffered shaky starts as they went on to miss easy shots.
Centeno had three dry breaks and had to take advantage of her rival's missed opportunity to steal a match.
In the first rack, Centeno missed the No. 2 at the side pocket, then bungled a shot at the No. 7 in the corner.
