FILIPINO billiards player Chezka Centeno won the WPA women’s 10-ball championship on Sunday after defeating China’s Yu Han in the race-to-9 finals in Klagenfurt, Austria.
The 24-year-old cue artist dominated Yu, a three-time global 9-Ball champion, to win 9-5. While scrubbing the final rack against the Chinese adversary, the Filipina went all business.
“This is my dream to be a world champion,” said an emotional Centeno, who was filled with delight during the post-match interview.
After Rubilen Amit, who controlled the prestigious competition in 2009 and 2013, the four-time SEA Games gold medalist became the second Filipina to rule the event and be declared world champion in pool.
Centeno embarked on an incredible run after a come-from-behind win against England’s Allison Fisher in the semifinals, 9-8. Amit, who had been ousted by Yu in the quarterfinals, was successfully avenged by Centeno in the finals.
In the elimination round, the Zamboangueña defeated Melanie Sussenguth of Germany 9-0 and Chou Chieh-Yu of Chinese Taipei 9-2. Centeno went unblemished in qualification, defeating China’s Xiaoting Pan 7-4 and Fisher.
Centeno will bring home the pride of being the second Filipina to win the title, and a $50,000 (P2.8 million) cash prize, the largest in the history of the women’s event.
