Filipina billiards world champion Chezka Centeno continued her winning ways after escaping Japan's Yuki Hiraguchi, 3-4, 4-1, 7-6, to advance to the second round of the PBS Women Showdown at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino on Wednesday, Feb. 28 (Manila time). 

Centeno, who recently ruled the Las Vegas women’s open, bested her Japanese rival in their thrilling collision in the opening round to set up a duel with veteran Kelly Fisher of United Kingdom in the tournament that offers $35,000 (P1.9 million) for the winner.

Hiraguchi actually put some pressure on the pride of Zamboanga City after taking the first set, but Centeno kept her poise and fought back to win the tight encounter.

Meanwhile, Carlo Biado, entered the winners’ qualification round of the 2024 Predator WPA Men’s World 10-Ball after blanking Australia’s Justin Sajich, 4-0, 4-0, and stunning former world champion Shane Van Boening of the US, 4-0, 4-1.

Biado, 40, will battle Taiwan’s Wu Kun Lin in the next round.