Centeno edges Amit in all-PH final to reclaim Women’s World 10-Ball title

MANILA, Philippines, October 13 ------ For the second time in three years, Chezka Centeno reigns as the world 10-ball queen. Centeno squeaked past Rubilen Amit in a nail-biting all-Filipina final that went the distance, 4-1, 2-4, 4-2, 3-4, 4-2, to rule the WPA Women’s World 10-Ball Championship in Bali, Indonesia.

Taking advantage of a crucial error by Amit in the last rack of the fifth and deciding set, Centeno reclaimed the crown she first won in 2023 and delivered the Philippines its fourth title in the tournament. Centeno, 26, joined Amit — the winner of the inaugural 2009 edition and a repeat champion in 2013 — as the only players in history to win the event multiple times, with their clash marking the first time the finals featured players from the same country. Seeking a third title, Amit threatened a comeback as she fought back from 0-2 down and pulled within 2-3 in the last set after Centeno committed three straight fouls in the fifth rack.

But Amit scratched her break in the following rack, paving the way for Centeno to run out the table and claim the championship that comes with the top prize of $50,000. Despite the fierce battle, it was all love between the two Filipinas as they shared a hug after the match, with Amit visibly happy for Centeno. “She is a great player,” said Centeno of Amit. “I’m just lucky.”

It was redemption for Centeno two months after she settled for the women’s 10-ball silver in the World Games in China in August as she fell prey to home bet Han Yu in the finale. Coming out of the losers’ bracket, Centeno dethroned 2024 champion Kristina Tkach of Russia with a 3-1 win in the last 16, escaped with a 3-2 victory over Wang Wan-Ling of Taiwan in the quarterfinals, and scored a 3-0 sweep of Liu Shasha of China in the semifinals. Still at the top of her game at 44, Amit fell short of becoming the reigning champion in two pool disciplines after she topped the WPA Women’s World 9-Ball Championship in September last year. Amit, who reached the final without a loss, will still take home $25,000.

Source: rappler.com