After nine years of wait, Carlo Biado completed his redemption in the Southeast Asian Games.
The 38-year-old Filipino cue artist got himself back on track with a win over compatriot and 9-ball champion Johann Chua, 9-3, in the men’s 10-ball singles final in the 31st Southeast Asian Games, Saturday at the Hà Đông District Sporting Hall in Hanoi, Vietnam.
For one, Biado avenged his loss in the 2013 Naypyidaw Games to yet another Filipino legend Dennis Orcollo in the gold medal match of this event. He, likewise, got even with Chua after that sorry 9-ball gold medal final loss just three days ago.
On that pivotal eighth frame, Chua and Biado traded attempts at pocketing the three-ball after the former was able to break the three-ball and four-ball cluster near the corner.
Neither could successfully get the three-ball to go, but the tries turned into safety shots before Chua eventually opened the table for a shot at the said target ball and a consequent clean-up from Biado.
This turned out to be the difference as the 2020 US Open 9-ball Champion took advantage of the alternate break format to get his long-awaited gold.
Biado earlier averted a potential momentum swing on the fifth rack despite a dry break. Chua emptied the table but did not call the 10-ball to the side pocket. The 29-year-old eventually missed the 10-ball and gave out the rack and the 4-1 lead to Biado
A nice break and run out from Chua followed with a highlight bank shot using the side rail to drain the eight-ball into the opposite corner pocket to eventually cut the deficit to two, 2-4.
This is the country’s 46th gold of the Games and the fourth in billiards and snooker.
