Carlo Biado happy to win US Open Pool Championship title like his idol Efren 'Bata' Reyes

Filipino pool player Carlo Biado is elated to win the US Open Pool Championship title, just like his idol Efren 'Bata' Reyes.

In an interview on Unang Hirit on Monday, Biado admitted he was a fan of Reyes ever since he was young.

"Sobrang saya dahil unang-una sa lahat, si Tatay Efren, idolo ko na 'yan mula bata pa ako. Masayang-masaya ako dahil 'yung nakuha niyang event na US Open ay nakuha ko na rin kaya sobrang saya ko talaga," he said.

(I am very happy because first of all, Tatay Efren has been my idol since I was young. I am very happy because I also won the US Open which he won.)

Biado and Reyes, who won the title in 1994, are the only two Philippine representatives who won the US Open title.

Biado, who has been playing billiards since he was 13, completed a come from behind victory against Singapore's Aloysius Yapp in the finals on Sunday.

Trailing 8-3, Biado won ten straight racks to bring home the prize.

"Nung 8-3 ang score, sinabi ko sa sarili ko na sana mabigyan ako ng chance ng isang beses lang. Kahit isang sablay lang ng kalaban," he recalled.

(When the score was 8-3, I wished to have at least one chance, just one mistake from my opponent.)

"[Nung di nakuha 'yung 9], baka ito na yun, 'yung sinasabi ko na chance. Nung nakuha ko 'yun, sabi ko sa isip ko, 'Lakasan mo lang loob mo, basta ilaro mo lang laro mo.'"

(When he missed his 9th rack, I told myself this might be the chance I have been wishing for. When I got it, I told myself to be confident and just play my game.)

After the US Open title, Biado said he still wants to have a shot at the World Cup of Pool next year.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News