CHENGDU, China — Chezka Centeno fought valiantly in the women’s 10-ball final of the 2025 World Games on Wednesday, only to suffer a razor-thin 7-6 defeat to China’s Yu Han at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China – Tianfu Campus Gymnasium.
The Zamboangat City pride mounted a gutsy comeback from an early 0-3 deficit and stood just one rack away from the gold. But a costly scratch on a safety play for the opening ball in the deciding frame proved decisive, giving Yu the window she needed to clinch victory before her home crowd.
Despite the heartbreak, Centeno faced the moment with grace, flashing a smile and expressing gratitude for the chance to bring honor to the Philippines.
“I did not expect that mistake. But I’m still happy,” she said. “This medal is for our country. I hope I still made you all proud.”
The silver marks Centeno’s second World Games podium finish and adds to the Philippines’ growing medal tally, joining Kaila Napolis’ silver in women’s 52kg jiu-jitsu and Carlos Baylon Jr.’s bronze in men’s wushu sanda 56kg.
Centeno’s road to the final was paved with determination: a dominant win over Savannah Easton of the United States in the preliminaries, a quarterfinal triumph over Spain’s Mayte Ropero, and a semifinal victory against hometown favorite Shasha Lui.
