Reigning US 9-ball Open Champion Carlo Biado was off to a blazing start, notching back-to-back victories to open the National 10-ball Tournament on Tuesday, May 3 at the Robinson's Mall in Naga City.
Also known as 'The Black Tiger', the 38 years-old Rosario, La Union native who was pegged as the heavy favorite to win the tournament, lived up to the expectations and made quick work of his opponents in the first two rounds.
He defeated Ronald Cayetano of Naga City, 9-6, before following it up with a swift 9-4 domination of Arvi Tanega of Tacloban City in the second round.
"The first two round is one of the toughest rounds in any tournament. It usually sets the tone of how you’re going to perform,” said Biado who also won 2017 Doha, Qatar WPA World Nine-ball Champion and just last year, the Abu Dhabi 9-ball Championship.
Fellow world renowned cue artist Raymund "The Pharaoh" Faraon also had a good start to the tournament, posting a close 9-8 win over Bernie Regalario of Paranaque City in the second round after getting a bye in the first round.
Double World Champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano of Calamba City, Laguna, Johann Chua of Taguig City, James "Dodong Diamond" Aranas of Bacoor City, Cavite, Kyle Amoroto of Cebu City and Reymart Camomot of Manila also opened with back to back wins.
Alcano who got bye in the first round then subdued Pogs Cruz (9-1) in the second round while Aranas dominated Alexis Ferrer of Paniqui, Tarlac (9-0) and Ryan Mark Hidalgo of Lucena City (9-4) in his first two games.
Amoroto, on other hand, got bye in the first round before demolishing Reyner Espejo of Manila (9-7) while Camomot smashed Akiro Amaro of Japan (9-2) and Amiel Leonor of Manila (9-8) for a winning start.
Other opening day winners are Johann Chua of Taguig City, Renan Faraon of San Pablo City, Laguna, Anthony "Anton" Raga of Talisay City, Cebu and Rodrigo Geronimo of Marilao, Bulacan, Alvin Daquioag of Quezon City, Mark Lopez Estiola of Manila, Marvin Pastor of Imus City, Cavite, Toni Regino of Iriga City and Rex Lawrence of Naga City