Two-time world champion Carlo Biado capped a perfect return to the World Pool Championship — a dominant performance in the semifinal round and a golden break to boot in the final rack — to win convincingly, 11-3, over young compatriot Bernie Regalario on Saturday at the Green Halls in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Biado’s one-sided victory over an up and coming, yet lacking in experience fellow Pinoy opponent, was a testament of his willingness to claim another title which he first won eight years ago in Doha, Qatar.
Last year, Biado added another feather to his cap when he ruled the World Ten Ball Championship, but he’s now looking to become the first Filipino player to win a world title three times and he’s just one win away from doing so, facing the winner of the match between defending champion Fedor Gorst of the United States and Kledio Kaci of Albania, which is still being played as of this posting.
The Philippines has a three-time world champion in Filipina ace Rubilen Amit, who won the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship twice and the World 9-Ball Championship last year.
Biado’s road back to the championship round was easier than expected as he practically dominated the match.
Using his efficient breaking skills, especially the high percentage of dropping the No.1 at the side pocket several times, Biado was able to set the tone early.
Right at the opening rack when Regalario scratched the cue ball while attempting a jump shot at the No.2, Biado quickly seized the advantage from there and built a commanding 5-0 lead. In the second rack, Biado used his experience to the hilt following safety exchanges and forcing Regalario to commit a foul while aiming for the No.2 ball. That allowed the 41-year-old cue artist to clean up the table.
Biado started to take control as he sank the No.6 coming off the break in the third rack, then put Regalario, again, in an uncomfortable position to take a jump shot and the more experienced player cleaned up the table.
Regalario spent lesser time on the table, but failed to cash in those rare opportunities given to him.
In the fourth rack, he missed what could have been a gimme at the corner while aiming for the No.6 and that allowed Biado to take advantage. In the next rack, Regalario had an opportunity anew, yet he ball no.2 wasn’t so friendly for the young competitor and Biado went all business.
Biado posted a 6-0 lead when he cleaned up the table in the sixth rack, but had a dry break in Race 7, allowing his younger rival to take his turn. With a more scattered layout presented to him, Regalario finally made his way to the scoring column.
It was a moment Regalario had been waiting for, but after heaving a sigh of relief, he had a dry break in the eighth rack and Biado quickly wasted no time dispatching all the balls on the table.
Biado was at his best of his match in the 10th rack, sinking the Nos.1 and 4 off the break, then the remaining balls available next for a 9-1 lead.
In a rare moment, Biado had a dry break, then after Regalario opted for a push shot, the seasoned campaigner surprisingly committed a foul error, hitting the No.5 instead of No.1. Regalario took the rack, then had his first back-to-back rack wins when he dropped the No.1 at the break and cleaned up everything.
Just when momentum was slowly building up, Regalario had a dry break in the next rack and Biado was back at his vintage form, capped by a spectacular banked shot at the No.3 which went to the side pocket.
The match was anti-climatic, but Biado had a perfect way to make up for that — with a golden break in the 14th rack — and make his way as the first player thru to the championship round.
Photo courtesy of Matchroom Pool
