Centeno falls short in bid for world 8-ball title

Chezka Centeno.

STAR / File

MANILA, Philippines — Chezka Centeno’s bid for a breakthrough WPA World Women’s 8-Ball crown came to a crashing end Sunday after falling to Russia Kristina Tkach, 0-4, 4-3, 4-3, 4-1, in the quarterfinals in Jacksonville, Florida.

It was a heartbreaking result for the 26-year-old Zamboanga City native, who was hoping to add another world crown after claiming his second 10-ball title she snared in Bali, Indonesia last October.

It wasn’t a bad year for Centeno overall as she also took the silver in both the World 8-Ball tilt in Green Bay, Wisconsin last July and the World Games in Chengdu, China the next month.

She also topped the Indonesia International Mixed Doubles with countryman Jeff de Luna and the M Arena Ladies Open in Jakarta also last July.

"My fight for the World 9-Ball Championship title ends here—for now. I gave it my best this tournament, and overall, I felt good about how I was playing, especially considering I only switched to a new playing cue just last month," said Centeno on her social media account.

She vowed to come back stronger next year.

“There is still a lot of work to be done, and I know I need to dedicate more time to fully mastering my new cue,” she said.

Meanwhile, Rubilen Amit saw her title defense end as well a round earlier after falling to Chinese Liu Shasha, 4-3, 4-2, 4-0.