Cuemasters a win away from world crown

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ Carlo Biado and AJ Manas survived a feisty Irsal Nasution and Albert Januarta of Indonesia, 3-4, 4-3, 3-4, 4-2, 3-1, yesterday to move on the cusp of claiming the WPA Men’s Doubles 10-Ball World Championship at the Heritage Garden of the Bali International Convention Centre in Indonesia.

Biado and Manas overcame early misfortunes but when it came down to pressure situations late, the Filipino pair were unperturbed and seized the final two sets to outlast the stubborn Nasution and Januarta in their semis duel.

It set them up against the winner of the other semis showdown between Poland’s Wojciech Szewczyk and Daniel Maciol and Spain’s Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz and David Alcaide being played at press time.

The finale will be played today.

After the win, Biado couldn’t help but scream and leap in jubilation as he earned a shot at adding another title to his vast trophy collection that included world titles in 9-ball (twice), 10-ball, mixed team 10-ball, World Games and the US Open.

For the 19-year-old Manas, this one would be the biggest stage he had reached in his young but flourishing career thus far. And a crown would help boost up his confidence and live up as one of the potential successors to the likes of Biado.

The day before, Biado and Manas, who had to survive the loser’s bracket, downed Syria’s Mohammad Soufi and Mohammad Aziza, 4-1, 4-3, 1-4, 4-0, in the quarters to march into the semis.