By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
After 27 years, another Filipino has taken over the throne of the US Open Pool Championship.
Carlo Biado pulled off one of the most massive comebacks in pool history after overcoming a 3-8 deficit. Biado won the next 10 straight racks to outlast Aloysius Yap of Singapore, 13-8, in the grand finals of the 2021 US Open Pool Championship.
Biado had a promising start as he asserted his dominance early on with a 3-1 lead but saw it vanish after the surging Singaporean caught fire and swept the next seven racks.
When the score was at 3-8, Yap was on the verge of another easy rack finish but missed his ninth ball attempt in the right pocket.
After the crucial mistake, Biado then flipped the switch and never looked back as he gracefully pocketed the ninth ball and took over the match.
Biado’s effective stroking combined with his tremendous position plays propelled him to his first US Open title after falling short several years in the past.
Aside from raising his first US Open, Biado also made history as the first Pinoy to reclaim the trophy since the legendary Efren “Bata” Reyes in 1994.
“This event is one of my dreams. I dedicate this to my family. Also to my baby. Thanks to all of you, even in these times of the pandemic. Thank you for all my sponsors and to all Filipinos,” said an emotional Biado during his post-game interview.
Meanwhile, compatriot Dennis Orcollo had the chance to set up an all-Filipino finals clash but fell short at the hands of Yapp during the semifinals.
