It’s lights out in Atlantic City, and the Filipino pool players are lighting it up!
From epic comebacks to jaw-dropping matchups, ten Pinoy cue artists—led by the ever-cool Carlo Biado—have cemented their spots in the knockouts at the US Open Pool Championship 2025. If you’re a fan of world-class pool or just rooting for some local pride, you better hold onto your seat.
Let’s break it down.
Carlo Biado: Back in Form and Hungry for Another Title
Fresh off reclaiming his position among the world’s pool elite, Carlo Biado has once again proven why he’s a force to be reckoned with. His latest victim? Vietnam’s Luong Duc Thien, who he quietly dispatched 9-6 to book a spot in the last 64.
Next stop for Biado: Estonia’s Denis Grabe. If past performances are anything to go by, Biado’s not just here to participate—he’s here to dominate.
📌 Biado Is Back on Top After a Comeback for the Ages
A Strong Filipino Contingent: 9 Players Joining Biado in the Knockout Round
It’s not just Biado raising the flag—nine other talented Filipinos have crushed their way through the group stage.
Johann Chua, Bernie Regalario & Jefrey Roda: Perfect Records So Far
These three aren’t just playing well—they’re looking downright scary.
- 🎱 Chua outplayed fellow Filipino Roland Garcia in a tight local showdown.
- 🔥 Regalario stunned German legend Thorsten Hohmann.
- ⚡ Roda was the first to join the last 64, winning all of his matches in style.
Coming up:
- Chua vs. Hohmann (rematch vibes?).
- Regalario vs. Poland’s Mieszko Fortunski.
- Roda takes on Hungary’s Oliver Szolnoki.
Redemption Runs: Gomez and Corteza Bounce Back
Everyone loves a good comeback, and both Roberto Gomez and Lee Van Corteza gave us one.
After a tough 9-2 loss to Germany’s Joshua Filler, Gomez roared back with a 9-6 victory against American wildcard Mhet Vergara. Up next: Poland’s Szymon Kural.
Meanwhile, Corteza shook off a 9-5 defeat to Poland’s Wojciech Szewczyk and silenced Indonesia’s Edward Koyongian, 9-4. He’ll now dance with Germany’s Moritz Neuhausen.
Other Filipino Warriors Charging On
It’s not just the veterans getting it done—up-and-comers like Marvin Asis, Michael Baoanan, Baseth Mocaibat, and Harry Vergara made their mark too.
- Asis, after losing to Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp, rebounded with a dominant win over Italy’s Francesco Candela. He’ll face Canada’s John Morra.
- Baoanan put Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Baabad away in convincing fashion and now has American Tyler Skyer in his sights.
- Mocaibat won a nerve-wracking 9-8 nail-biter against Taiwan’s Kuo Hsuan Wei.
- And then there’s Harry Vergara—talk about a rollercoaster. After an early loss, he stormed back with wins over players from Taiwan, Vietnam, and Albania—capping it all with a thriller over Kledio Kaci, 9-8. His reward? A face-off with Poland’s Wiktor Zielinski.
Why This Matters: More Than Just a Tournament
This isn’t just another milestone for Philippine pool—it’s another chapter in a legacy of excellence.
For billiards fans back home and around the world, these performances showcase not only skill but grit, determination, and that signature Pinoy fighting spirit.
The knockout stages are coming—and if what we’ve seen so far is any indicator, the rest of the world better watch their backs. The Filipinos are here, they’re fierce, and they’re not going down without a fight.
🎯 Will Carlo Biado march to another title?
🥊 Can the younger generation pull off a Cinderella run?
We’ll be watching… and cheering.
🇵🇭 Let’s go, Team Philippines! 🇵🇭
📷 Photo Credit: Matchroom Pool / Sports Inquirer
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