WITH his recent triumph on the global stage, billiards’ ace Carlo Biado is set to spearhead Team Philippines’ campaign at the 2025 World Games, slated for August 7 to 17 in Chengdu, China.
Biado etched his name deeper in Philippine sports history early Sunday after becoming the first Filipino to capture the World Pool Championship twice, outlasting world No. 1 Fedor Gorst of the United States in a gripping 15–13 final.
The 41-year-old cue artist’s victory not only solidified his legacy as one of the country’s greatest billiards players, but also boosted the morale of the national contingent heading to Chengdu.
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Stephen Arapoc, the World Games chief of mission and president of the Muaythai Association of the Philippines (MAP), expressed confidence that the country can replicate its golden moments from past editions of the games.
Biado and karateka Junna Tsukii both delivered gold medals in the 2017 and 2022 World Games, setting the bar for the 2025 campaign.
Team Philippines will compete across multiple disciplines outside the Olympic program, including billiards, duathlon, floorball, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, muay thai, powerlifting, sambo, wakeboarding, wushu, and dragon boat racing.
Arapoc assured that the athletes’ needs—both for participation and preparation—are fully covered.
“The Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and private sector have all stepped in to ensure our athletes have everything they need to perform at their best,” he said.
Biado’s second world title capped a nine-match undefeated run, dethroning the reigning champion in the process.
The milestone came eight years after his first world crown in 2017, elevating him above Philippine billiards legends such as Efren “Bata” Reyes (1999), Alex Pagulayan (2004), Ronnie Alcano (2006), and Francisco “Django” Bustamante (2010), each of whom won a single world championship.
“I’m so happy because I’m now a two-time world champion, and I’m bringing the trophy back to the Philippines,” Biado said after his victory.
Following the World Games, Biado will captain Team Asia in the second Reyes Cup, scheduled this October in Manila.
