Chezka Centeno. Photo from Asian Pool Federation
MANILA, Philippines—The inaugural Asian Pool Federation’s 9-Ball Championship saw two Filipinos making the finals but only Chezka Centeno was able to deliver the title on Sunday in Singapore.
Centeno emerged victorious in the women’s field after she bested Seo Seoa of South Korea in the final, 11-7.
The 23-year-old CentenoThe inaugural Asian Pool Federation’s 9-Ball Championship saw two Filipinos making the finals but only Chezka Centeno was able to deliver the title on Sunday in Singapore. barged into the title round after cruising past Bui Xuang Vang of Vietnam in the semifinals, 9-1.
In the quarterfinals, Centeno scraped past compatriot Rubilen Amit, 9-6, as the two close friends crossed paths again after matching up countless times in the past including several encounters in the medal rounds of the Southeast Asian Games.
But while Centeno came out on top, another Filipino in James Aranas couldn’t go all the way in the men’s side.
Aranas’ title bid came to a screeching halt against Ko Pin Yi of Chinese Taipei, 13-11.
Aranas made the finals after beating Naoyuki Oi of Japan, 11-6, in the semis and rolling past fellow Filipino Lauro Bongay, 11-2, in the quarters.
Ko also knocked off Bacolod native Johann Chua, 11-2, in the other semis matchup, preventing an all-Filipino showdown for the crown.