MANILA---Filipino pool sharks Carlo Biado, Roland Garcia, Arman Cagol and Jayson Nuguid got off to a blazing start by posting victories in the opening round of the money-rich Abu Dhabi Open 9-Ball Championship on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at the Power Break Billiard Hall in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Biado who is fresh from winning the prestigious US Open Pool 9-ball Championship last September at the Harrah's Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, blanked Mohamad Eiljeffrey , 9-0, while Garcia who is also the winner in the Wichita Ten Ball Open and Oklahoma 9 Ball Open, both held this year in the United States, beat Hussain Ali of UAE, 9-4.
The Dubai-based Cagol, on the other hand subdued compatriot Jordan Banares, 9-5, while the Abu-Dhabi based Nuguid edged countryman Carlo Raymundo, 9-7.
"We hope to perform well in this event," said Cagol who hails from Bagong Barrio, Caloocan nad a house Pro in Good Play Billiard hall in Dubai and fondly called Agila (Eagle) in the billiards circuit.
โThe first round is one of the toughest rounds in any tournament. It usually sets the tone of how youโre going to perform,โ added Nuguid, a tournament manager/organizer in Power Break Billiard Hall in Abu Dhabi.
Arnel Bautista, Oliver Medenilla , Aivhan Maluto and Israel Rota also opened with wins.
Bautista toppled another Pinoy tumbok king Jhun Banlasan, 9-4, Medenilla smashed Mohamad Fharaj of Iran, 9-5, Maluto nipped Abdulla AlNuami of UAE 9-5, and Rota outclassed Mohamad Ali of UAE, 9-5.
The double knock out event, alternate breaks format offers total pot prize 46,000 aed (United Arab Emirates dirham) with the champion getting the lion share of 20,000 aed (United Arab Emirates dirham).-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows Filipino Dubai-based Arman "Agila" Cagol
