Biado Dominates: Pinoy Billiards Legend Wins US Open One-Pocket Title in Las Vegas
Filipino cue sports legend Carlo "Black Tiger" Biado just added another championship to his already stacked resume — capturing the 2026 US Open One-Pocket Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday. And he did it the hard way, grinding through 10 straight hours of competition.
In an all-Filipino final — because of course it was — Biado defeated compatriot Roland Garcia with a convincing 5-1 scoreline. But the road to the title wasn't straightforward. The two had already met earlier in the semifinals, where Garcia edged Biado in a grueling five-hour battle, 4-3.
Dropped to the loser's bracket, Biado didn't flinch. He dispatched Tony "T-Rex" Chohan 3-0 to earn a rematch with Garcia in the grand finals — and this time, the Black Tiger was absolutely ruthless. "Sa wakas! After 10 hours straight," Biado wrote on his Facebook page after clinching the crown.
Even Garcia tipped his hat to the champion. "Congrats to the Black Tiger for winning the one pocket event... he played really solid in the finals," Garcia wrote, adding that he was still happy with his runner-up performance. The sportsmanship between two Pinoys duking it out on the world stage? Chef's kiss.
The victory also boosted Biado to No. 3 in the World Pool Association's world rankings, a huge jump from his previous ninth-place spot. Next up, Biado heads to St. Louis, Missouri for the 2026 Bank Pool Masters Showdown next month, where he'll also team up with fellow Pinoy pool star Rubilen Amit.
Source: The Manila Times
