Biado nips Gallito to top Indonesia Open 10-Ball tilt

THEY say good players are always lucky.

It was the case of Filipino world champion Carlo Biado, who escaped past an upset-conscious countryman Paolo Gallito with a hill-hill 10-9 victory on Saturday and ruled the Predator PBC International Indonesia Open 10-Ball in Jakarta, Indonesia.

On the brink of being slain by the youthful Mr. Gallito after trailing 9-8, lady luck suddenly favored Mr. Biado as the former scratched the cue ball after sinking the 8-ball that would have left the 10-ball.

It was the lifeline Mr. Biado needed as he took over the rack and later the 19^th and final frame to snatch the win from the jaws of defeat.

“I was lucky,” said the 42-year-old Mr. Biado, who added another trophy to his massive collection of triumphs that included two world 9-ball crowns, a world 10-ball title, a World Games gold, a US Open crown and three Southeast Asian Games mints.

“I didn’t expect he would end up with a scratch in that ball. Maybe this is really for me, destiny happened,” he added.

The feat earned Mr. Biado a cool $25,000, or P1.5 million, while Mr. Gallito pocketed $12,000 or P738,000.

Mr. Biado thinks Mr. Gallito’s time will come in the near future.

“Paolo (Gallito) is really good and young and I think he will eventually end up champion also someday,” he said.

Next stop for Mr. Biado is the Asian Pool Championship unfurling on Friday in Vietnam.

“I will be there to defend my title,” said Mr. Biado. — Joey Villar