Chezka Centeno breathed life in her title-retention bid, but at the expense of compatriot Rubilen Amit after advancing to the quarterfinals in the 2024 WPA World 10-Ball Women’s Championship on Thursday, Nov. 14, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The 25-year-old Centeno had to crawl back from the loser’s bracket, turning back Indonesia’s Annita Kanjaya, 1-4, 4-0, 4-2, before outclassing Amit in one hour and 53 minutes, 4-1, 4-0, 4-0, to inch closer to keeping the crown.

Though it was like a redemption of sorts for Centeno, who bowed to Amit in the Last 16 of the world 9-ball event last September, the victory was a bittersweet one as they consider themselves good friends.

In fact, Centeno was one of those cheering at the sidelines when Amit won the elusive world 9-ball crown.

This time, though, expect Amit to return the favor as Centeno sets up a quarters date with Chinese Taipei’s Chou Chieh Yu, who needed two hours and 46 minutes in dispatching Spaniard Mayte Ropero, 4-2, 4-1, 4-1.

Chou was no easy rival as she boasts of winning the 2022 title at the expense of fellow Taiwanese Wei Tzu-chien.

Explosive showdowns are also in store in other quarters pairings that include last year’s bridesmaid Han Yu of China against 2010 champion Jasmin Ouschan of Austria; Wei versus former world 9-ball junior champion Kristina Tkach; and Korean Seo Soea against American Sofia Mast.

Meanwhile, Carlo Biado closed in on another title after barging into the semifinals of the Puerto Rico 10-Ball Open on Friday, Nov. 15.

Biado, the current world 10-ball men’s champion, fought back from a tight second-set stumble before edging Alexis Kazakis of Greece, 4-0, 3-4, 4-2.

The victory set up the Filipino veteran a meeting with Fedor Gorst, who survived another Greek rival in Dimitris Loukatos, 4-1, 2-4, 3-3 (3-2).