Carlo’s on cue

Newly-crowned WPA World 9-Ball champion Carlo Biado believes mentioning him in the same breath as Efren “Bata” Reyes is still quite premature.

“I was so happy because I was the first Filipino to win two titles. But even if I win more titles in the future, I think no one can top Tatay Efren,” Biado said during a courtesy call with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairperson Patrick “Pato’ Gregorio on Friday at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.

Biado ruled the WPA world championships last week by besting Fedor Gorst of the United States, 15-13, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Gregorio handed Biado a certificate of recognition for his exploits in Saudi Arabia in the presence of two other key pool legends: Efren “Bata” Reyes and Django Bustamante.

Apart from Reyes and Bustamante, also in attendance were PSC commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo and PSC acting executive director Guillermo Iroy as well as female top player Chezka Centeno and local billiards’ top patron and Puyat Sports founder Putch Puyat.

“I am happy we got to take home another trophy but I never stopped practicing because I still have competitions to join in the United States.”

Biado is set to return to action when he competes in the Florida Open at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando from 5 to 10 August.

He is also setting his sights on the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City from 18 to 23 August.

Biado said he hopes to replicate his 2021 run, where he defeated Aloysius Yapp of Singapore, 13–8.

“I want to get the US Open title again. I won it in 2021 and I hope I can win it again,” Biado said.

Gregorio, for his part, said they are ready to spread the sport and support the journey of the billiards players in the long run.

“We know the Filipinos play and love billiards. We need to support the sport,” Gregorio said.

“As the chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, you can expect that we will support billiards in the country.”

Gregorio, who is only a month into his position, hopes Biado serves as an inspiration for aspiring billiards players who dream of becoming big internationally.

“Carlo Biado is a good example of the phrase ‘Sports is a great equalizer.’ He dreamed and worked hard and became a world champion,” Gregorio said.

“‘Yan ang perfect na sargo! Mabuhay ka Carlo.”