Chezka Centeno Secures Semifinal Spot in Las Vegas Women's Open After Nail-Biting Shootout
In a gripping quarterfinal match at the Las Vegas Women's Open, part of the Pro Billiard Series, Filipino cue artist Chezka Centeno emerged victorious over Austria's Jasmin Ouschan with a 2-1 win, sealed in a dramatic penalty shootout on Monday, February 23, 2026 (Philippine time). The intense showdown between two world champions captivated fans as they battled for a place in the semifinals.
Thrilling Match Details and Semifinal Lineup
The clash saw Centeno and Ouschan exchanging blows through the initial two racks, with each player claiming a set by identical 4-2 scores. In the decisive third set, Centeno missed a crucial opportunity to close out the match, allowing Ouschan to level the score at 3-3 and force a penalty shootout. However, Centeno demonstrated her resilience, halting Ouschan's momentum to secure a 4-3 victory in the shootout.
With this win, Centeno advances to face Bulgarian cue artist Kristina Zlateva in the semifinals. Zlateva earned her spot with a commanding 2-0 victory over Sofia Mast of the United States. The other semifinal matchup features 2024 Women's World 10-Ball champion Kristina Tkach of Russia against Taiwanese player Wei Tzu-Chien Wei. Tkach defeated Han Yu of China 2-0, while Wei outlasted compatriot Chou Chieh-Yu 2-1 in their respective quarterfinal matches.
Filipino Contenders Bow Out in Men's Event
In the Las Vegas Men's Open, Carlo Biado's campaign came to an end in the Last 16. Germany's Joshua Filler halted Biado's winning streak with a 2-0 victory (4-2, 4-3), eliminating all Filipino contenders from the prestigious tournament. Biado, a BCA Hall of Famer, had previously swept all three of his matches in the eliminations and dispatched David Alcaide of Spain 2-0 (4-1, 4-3) in the knockout stage.
Other Filipino players also faced early exits, with Jefrey Roda, Jeffrey De Luna, Roland Garcia, and Miguel Salvilla all losing in the Round of 32. This marks a disappointing turn for the Philippine contingent in the men's division, highlighting the competitive nature of the event.
