Carlo “The Black Tiger” Biado in one of his matches | Photo via Facebook
MANILA— Three‑time world champion Carlo “The Black Tiger” Biado has climbed back to the summit of professional billiards, officially named World No. 1 by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) following a dominant run across the 2024–2026 international circuit. The 40‑year‑old Filipino cue artist, long regarded as one of the sport’s most precise shot‑makers, now enters his next global campaign with renewed momentum and a legacy still expanding.
Biado’s return to the top comes nearly five years after his historic 2021 U.S. Open 9‑Ball Championship victory, where he pocketed $50,000 in prize money—his largest single-event payout to date. “This is for the Philippines,” Biado said then, in a quote carried by Matchroom Pool. “I always fight for my country and for my family.”
A Champion’s Path: From La Union Streets to the World Stage
Born in La Union, Biado grew up playing pool in makeshift halls and neighborhood tables, often sneaking into billiard centers as a teenager. He worked as a caddie and ball boy before turning professional, sharpening his discipline and creativity in the game’s unforgiving grassroots environment.
While he was inspired by Filipino legends such as Efren “Bata” Reyes, Biado has clarified in past interviews that Reyes did not formally mentor him. Instead, he studied Reyes’ matches obsessively, calling him “the greatest of all time” in a 2017 ABS‑CBN News feature. “Efren showed us that Filipinos can be the best in the world,” Biado said.
World Championship Triumphs: 2017 and 2024
Biado’s first world title came in 2017, when he won the WPA World 9‑Ball Championship in Doha, Qatar, defeating compatriot Rolando “Ronnie” Alcano and later edging out Roland Garcia in an all‑Filipino semifinal before beating Eklent Kaçi of Albania in the finals.
His second world crown arrived in 2024, when he captured the World 10‑Ball Championship in Las Vegas. There, he outlasted American rising star Shane Wolford in a tense final rack, securing the title and a $30,000 purse. The WPA hailed his performance as “a masterclass in composure and cue‑ball control.”
Biado’s third world title—his most recent—came in early 2026, when he reclaimed the World 9‑Ball Championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, defeating Spain’s Francisco Sánchez Ruíz, the former world No. 1. The victory cemented Biado’s return to elite form and propelled him to the top of the global rankings.
A New Generation of Filipino Cue Artists Rising Behind Him
The Philippines continues to produce world‑class talent, with several young players emerging as future champions. Among them: James “Dodong Diamond” Aranas, now a top‑10 global contender known for his fearless break; Jeffrey Ignacio, a precision shooter who has earned praise in U.S. tournaments; Johann Chua, the 2022 World Cup of Pool champion, widely regarded as the next Filipino superstar; and Chezka Centeno, the women’s world No. 2 and a Southeast Asian Games multi‑gold medalist.
“Filipino players have unmatched heart,” Reyes said in a 2023 Philippine Star interview. “They fight until the last ball.”
What’s Next for “The Black Tiger”
Biado is set to compete next at the 2026 World Pool Masters in Gibraltar this June, where he aims to secure his fourth major title in two years. He will also represent the Philippines at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games later this year.
“I’m not done yet,” Biado told Matchroom after his 2026 win. “I want more championships for my country.”