3 Pinoys advance in China 9-Ball

MANILA, Philippines - World No. 4 Carlo Biado led the charge as three Filipinos marched into the Last-16 of the China Open 9-Ball yesterday at Pudong Tangzhen Culture and Sports Center in Shanghai, China.

Biado turned back Chinese Chu Bingjie, 11-7, to stay in contention in the $373,600 World Pool-Billiard Association tournament.

Jeffrey Ignacio and Jeff de Luna joined Biado in the Round-of-16 after dismantling their respective rivals, Taiwanese Yang Chingsun and Spaniard David Alcaide, via identical 11-8 winning margins.

Biado next battles Johann Chua’s tormentor, Cheng Yushuan, for a quarterfinal spot as Ignacio and De Luna seek the same objective against Oi Naoyuki and former world 9-ball titlist Ko Pin Yi, respectively.

The trio’s victories made up for the sorry losses of compatriot Johann Chua and Lee Van Corteza in the Last-32 and Chezka Centeneo and Rubilen Amit in the women’s Last-16.

Chua bowed to World No. 1 Cheng Yushuan, 11-10, while Corteza suffered the same fate in his hill-hill duel with Wang Can.

Over in the women’s division, Centeno absorbed a close 8-9 decision to Han Yu in their battle for a quarterfinal berth as Amit got the boot after losing to Chen Xue, 6-9.

They joined Dennis Orcollo and Warren Kiamco, who failed to get past the double-elimination format first phase, in the exits.