MANILA, Philippines—Filipino cue artist Carlo Biado fell to Taiwan’s Kevn Cheng in the final of the World Pool-Billiard Association Players Championship, 12-11, at Griffs Billiards in Las Vegas.
Biado blew an 8-5 rack lead in the best-of-nine match as Cheng went on a furious rally that came after the Filipino missed out on a routine hit.
After Biado failed to sink the 4-ball, Cheng pounced on the blunder by winning the next four racks to grab a 9-8 rack edge in what eventually turned into a win-by-two format.
The pair, however, reached the 11-11 limit that forged a sudden death rack.
“When I was down 8-5 and he is shooting at an open table, I already know that I’m going to lose,” said Cheng.
“The last few racks were very difficult and that’s when I got nervous again. I think I got lucky, but I also hit some very good shots at the end to take the match and the tournament.”
Cheng showed nerves of steel in the deciding rack as he calmly sank pressure-packed shots on his way to cashing in $10,000. Biado bagged $7,000 for finishing second.