Biado wins US Open 9-Ball Championship

CEBU, Philippines —  Filipino shotmaker Carlo Biado pulled off a stunning comeback to repulse Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp, 13-8, in the race-to-13 finals and reign supreme in the 2021 US Open 9-Ball Championship on Saturday night (Sunday morning, Phl time) at the Diamond Arena of Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“I am very happy because this event is one of my dreams. I dedicate this to my family and to my baby. Thank you to all of you even during the pandemic you’re still here watching around the world. Thank you to Matchroom, my sponsors, and all of the Filipinos who support me always everywhere,” said an ecstatic Biado while trying to hold back tears moments after his historic triumph.

Biado, who booted out Japan’s Naoyuki Oi in the semifinals, 11-9, raced to a quick 2-0 start and was still ahead 3-1 when Yapp made a sizzling 4-0 rally to seize the upper hand, 5-3.

Yapp sustained his hot charge to stretch his lead to 8-3 after winning his seventh consecutive game but that proved to be the best he could muster as the La Union-native Biado rallied back with finesse, cleaning up five frames in a row to even the count at 8-8.

That ultimately spelled disaster for Yapp as Biado never looked back from there.

Capitalizing on his momentum and Yapp’s crucial errors, the 37-year-old Biado swept another five racks, his 10th overall since overhauling a five-point deficit to complete his spectacular turnaround.

Aside from pocketing $50,000 (P2.5 million) in cold cash, Biado also ended the Philippines’ 27-year title drought in the annual US 9-Ball tournament.

Prior to Biado’s monumental feat, the legendary Efren “Bata” Reyes enjoys the honor as the first and only Filipino to win the prestigious event in 1994.

Also, Biado exacted some sort of revenge on the 25-year-old Yapp, who ousted his countryman Dennis Orcollo, 11-6, to reach the finals. Orcollo did not go home empty-handed though as he ended up with $12,000 (P600,000).

“I am lost for words. I feel grateful to be in the final and all the fans have been awesome so thank you. I know I can do it; I am coming back stronger next year,” said Yap, who took home $25,000 (P1.25 million) with his first runner-up honors.