PH pool bets hurdle first-round opponents in SEAG 9-ball

SINGAPORE — Fifteen-year-old Chezka Centeno and the pair of Carlo Biado and Warren Kiamco handily hurdled their first round opponents in 9-ball pool to make up for the early defeats of the PH  bets in men’s english billiards Saturday in the Southeast Asian Games at OCBC Arena Hall 4.

With a cherubim face that belies her steely nerves, the Zamboanga City lass crushed Vietnam’s Doan Thi Nguc Le, 7-4, in the pre-quarterfinal of the women’s division.

She will meet the winner between Jessica Tan of Singapore and Nwey Hlaing of Myamnar still set to play late Saturday for a spot in the semifinal.

Two-time world champion Rubilen Amit got a bye to the quarters where she will face either Fathrah Masum of Indonesia or Waratthanun of Thailand.

In the morning, Biado and Kiamco downed Thailand’s K. Nitiwat and M. Tanut, 9-6, in the men’s 9-ball doubles.

With smooth dynamics between their shots, Biado, the 2010 World 10-ball runner-up, and Kiamco broke a 6-6 deadlock with a decisive run out of the next three racks to prevail.

But two men’s english billiards 500 players have already fallen by wayside.

Reynaldo Grandea bowed to Thailand’s Chaithanaskun Pramput, 500-62, in the men’s english billiards, while Jefrey Roda fell to Singapore’s Yeo Teck Shin, 501-228.