Table manners

Carlo Biado couldn’t hold his emotions after winning his second WPA World 9-Ball Championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Biado, 41, jumped over the pool table after beating Fedor Gorst of the United States, 15-13, in the final Sunday.

He stands as the only Filipino two-time champion of the tournament, having won the 2017 edition in Doha, Qatar.

The only other Filipinos to win twice are Efren “Bata” Reyes in 1999, Ronnie Alcano in 2006, and Francisco “Django” Bustamante in 2010.

Biado admitted that facing the Russian-born Gorst tested his composure the entire match.

“This final is something I’ll remember forever. Fedor is one of the best in the world when I was leading 9-2, I still couldn’t relax because he’s a monster on the table,” said Biado, who took home a prize pot of $250,000 (P14.29 million).

“But today, I stayed focused, stayed calm, and maybe had a little luck on my side too.”

Biado was up 9-2 when Gorst won the next seven racks to propel himself back into serious contention.

Biado then won four straight racks for a 13-9 advantage before Gorst once again equalized by winning four straight.

The 27th rack proved to be fatal for Gorst after he made a scratch, allowing Biado to clear the table and get the win in the next.

Gorst congratulated Biado on social media on his latest victory.

“Big congratulations to my pare Carlo Biado for winning it this year. Always a pleasure to play against you,” Gorst said.

This victory punctuated Biado’s campaign in the tournament, where he also defeated compatriot Bernie Regalario, 11-3, in the semifinals earlier in the day.

He also took down Jan Van Lierop of the Netherlands, 9-5, in first round; fellow Filipino Lee Vann Corteza, 9-4, in the winner’s qualification; Chris Meiling of the United Kingdom, 11-9, in the Last 64; Wiktor Zielinski of Poland, 11-8, in the Last 32; compatriot Jeffrey Ignacio, 11-9, in the Last 16; and Ko Ping Chung of Chinese Taipei, 11-7, in the quarterfinal.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino was over the moon following Biado’s triumph and couldn’t wait for him to suit up for the Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December.

“This is another great reason to rejoice and celebrate — Carlo Biado winning in Jeddah and becoming the only player in the world to emerge 9-ball champion twice. Long live Biado and Philippine billiards,” Tolentino said

“We will continue to work, guide and help our national billiard athletes in their training and competitions abroad, including in the Thailand SEA Games this December.”