Chezka Centeno grabs women’s 10-ball silver at World Games

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Chezka Centeno earned the women’s 10-ball silver medal for the Philippines in the Chengdu World Games on Aug. 13, 2025, at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China.

Centeno was one rack away from gold but scratched on the break in the deciding rack, allowing home favorite Han Yu to clinch a 7-6 victory in the finals.

The Filipina fought back from a 0-3 deficit, overcoming Han’s dominant start with steady shot-making and tactical play.

Centeno gained her first point in the fourth rack after Han’s safety shot failed to touch the left rail, giving her an opening for a run-out.

From there, she shook off early jitters and strung together multiple clean run-outs to tie the match.

Both players traded racks until they reached a hill-hill 6-all deadlock, but Centeno’s final miscue ended her bid for the gold.

“I did not expect that mistake,” Centeno said. “This medal is for our country. I hope I still made you all proud.”

Centeno advanced to the finals with notable wins over Mayte Ropero of Spain, Savannah Easton of the United States, and China’s Shasha Lui, dominating both the preliminary and playoff rounds.

Aside from Centeno’s silver, the Philippines also collected podium finishes from jiu-jitsu athlete Kaila Napoles, who won silver, and Carlos Baylon Jr., who earned bronze in wushu.