IN A SPAN of a week, Filipina pool wizard Chezka Centeno could end up with a second world title.

And it could come from the Banca del Fucino WPA Women’s World 10-Ball Championship in Rome, Italy where the 27-year-old Zamboanga City native, who just claimed her breakthrough world 8-ball crown in Wisconsin in the United States, earned that golden chance.

Ms. Centeno dumped South Korean Seo Seoa, the reigning world 9-ball champion, in an emphatic 4-0, 4-0, 4-3 result on Wednesday night that set up a title showdown with US-based Belarusian Margarita Fefilova, a 4-2, 4-3, 4-3 winner over Chinese Taipei’s Chou Chieh-Yu.

The finale was being played as of this writing.

If she wins it, it will also be Ms. Centeno’s third crown in the event that would give her the distinction as the most titled in 10-ball ahead of countrywoman Rubilen Amit, who has two.

Ms. Amit tried herself at attempting at writing history by surviving the loser’s bracket and gatecrashing into the quarterfinals before eventually being denied by Ms. Seo in a stinging 4-2, 4-1, 4-3 setback last Tuesday.

Good thing Ms. Centeno avenged Ms. Amit by eliminating Ms. Seo.

“Just focus only, just inhale and exhale,” said Ms. Centeno.

When Ms. Centeno seized the world 8-ball trophy a week ago, she was quick to dedicate the triumph to her late mom, who passed away last May.

Expect her to use that motivation again when she shoots to win another one. — Joey Villar

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