Biado wins world 9-ball title

Doha: Carlo Biado of the Philippines won the 2017 World 9-Ball Championship after beating compatriot Roland Garcia 13-5 at Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha on Thursday.

Biado is the fifth Filipino to win the men’s event, and the first since Francisco Bustamante in 2010. The win earns Biado a $40,000 prize while Garcia receives $15,000 of a total prize fund of $200,000.

Biado and Garcia booked the final clash after dispatching Wu Kun Lin of Taiwan and Klenti Kaci of Albania in their respective semifinals.

“I’m very happy. It’s been a very long time but finally, I reached the final and also won the trophy. I want to thank my family and my friends for being my inspiration. I was a little bit jittery in the semis, but playing in the final was less of pressure for me,” said Biado.

“The position of the balls, for the most part of the game, was a bit easier for me in the final. I played against a worthy opponent who has fantastic breaks. My plan is to go back to the Philippines and celebrate the victory before preparing for the China Open.”

Meanwhile, it was decided that Qatar will host the next four editions of the tournament after the hosting agreement was renewed on Thursday.