All news tagged ChezkaCenteno

Filipina cue artist Chezka Centeno proved once again that champions are defined not by how they start, but by how they finish.

The 24-year-old Centeno pulled off a sensational comeback run from the losers’ bracket to capture her second WPA World Women’s 10-Ball Championship title, showcasing her trademark poise and fighting spirit on the global stage.

After suffering an early setback in the double-elimination rounds, Centeno refused to back down. She went on a scorching run — defeating several top-seeded contenders, including defending champion Chou Chieh-Yu, to earn a spot in the finals.

In the championship match, Centeno displayed world-class composure and precision, sealing the victory that crowned her once again as the best 10-ball player in the world.

Her triumph marks another milestone for Philippine billiards, adding to the country’s storied legacy of cue sports dominance led by legends like Efren “Bata” Reyes and Rubilen Amit.

Centeno’s second world title solidifies her place among the sport’s elite — and serves as an inspiration to a new generation of Filipino athletes proving that resilience, determination, and heart can turn any setback into glory.

Filipino cue artist Chezka Centeno came heartbreakingly close to a historic gold medal at the 2025 World Games, falling to China’s Han Yu, 7-6, in a dramatic women’s 10-ball final on Wednesday, August 13.

Centeno clawed her way back from early deficits — 0-3, 3-4, and 4-5 — and seized control at 6-5, seemingly on the cusp of victory. But a critical miss in the final rack opened the door for Han, who capitalized and ran the table to snatch the gold on home soil.

The result marked sweet revenge for Han, who had lost to Centeno in the 2023 World 10-Ball Championship final in Austria. 

Notably, this was also Han’s second win over the Filipina in Chengdu, having edged her in the group stage, 7-6.

Despite the painful finish, Centeno impressed throughout the tournament. She rebounded from her group stage loss to Han by dominating Savannah Easton of the United States, 7-2, to move into the knockout rounds. 

She then cruised past Mayte Ropero of Spain, 7-2, in the quarterfinals, and ousted China’s Shasha Liu, 7-4, in the semifinals.

Cheered on by Filipino legends Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, and Rubilen Amit, Centeno showed grit and brilliance — but it wasn’t quite enough to bring home gold this time.

Still, the silver medal is a testament to her consistency and elite standing in the global billiards scene.

The World Games 2025 in Chengdu is underway, with Filipino athletes leaving it all on the field, striving not just for personal glory but also to bring pride and recognition to the Philippines in their

As of August 14, Team Philippines has secured a total of three medals—two silvers and one bronze.

Chezka Centeno started playing billiards at the age of five, and her potential was discovered at eight when she competed in local tournaments in her family's hometown.

At age 11, she began participating in the Philippine National Games. A year later, she was invited to the Kremlin Cup in Russia, where she finished in the top 32.

In 2014, Centeno competed in the Asian Junior Championship and won first place in the girls' singles category.

The following year, she claimed the gold medal in the nine-ball women's singles at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, defeating fellow Filipina Rubilen Amit in the final.