Centeno, Amit stay on track

Defending Las Vegas Women’s Open champion Chezka Centeno booked her slot in the Last 16 after beating compatriot and two-time 10-ball world champion Rubilen Amit in their winner’s qualification match, 2-0, Thursday at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Centeno, 25, has been on a roll as she has won three straight matches in her title defense.

The three-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist first defeated home bet Nicole Cuellar, 2-0, in the before taking down American April Larson, 2-0, in the preliminaries.

Centeno is facing Annita Kajaya of Indonesia in the Last 16 at press time as she guns for a back-to-back title and the prize pot of $22,500 (P1.3 million).

Not wanting to be outdone, Amit clawed her way back into the title picture and booked a spot in the Last 16.

Amit took down Indonesian Silviana Lu, 2-0, in the third round of the loser’s qualification to get back on track.

The 10-time SEA Games gold medalist is facing Kelly Fischer as of writing.

This will be the sixth time Amit and Fisher will cross paths after facing off in the 2018 Amway eSpring International 9-Ball Championship.

In the Mixed Doubles Open, Centeno and Mark Estiola advanced to the quarterfinal after beating Joshua Filler and Pia Filler of Germany, 2-0.

The Filipino duo is competing against Jose Alberto Delgado and Mayte Ropero of Spain at press time.

Meanwhile, Amit and Francisco “Django” Bustamante bowed out of the Mixed Doubles Open after a 1-2 defeat against German Yvonne Hybler and Filipino-Canadian Alex Pagulayan in the third round of the loser’s bracket.