By MARK REY MONTEJO
Chezka Centeno momentarily set aside her friendship with world champion and Rubilen Amit and pulled off a thrilling 4-3, 4-2 win to barge into the Last 16 of 2025 Las Vegas Women’s Open at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Nevada early Friday, Feb. 28 (Manila time).
The reigning titlist stayed composed in a tense first set showdown, dropping balls with clinical precision to upend Amit in a performance that delighted the crowd – mostly Filipinos – in the 64-field tournament.
The 2023 world 10-Ball champion from Zamboanga now awaits her rival in the Last 16 while Amit kept her title bid alive after venting her ire on Singaporean Silviana Lu, 4-1, 4-0, in the losers’ bracket.
In all likelihood, two will again meet in the Round of 16 if Amit hurdles her next assignment.
Centeno earlier dumped American bets Nicolle Cuellar (4-0, 4-0), April Larson (4-1, 4-0).
In the mixed doubles category, Centeno and Mark Estiola advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating German partners Joshua and Pia Filler, 4-1, 4-2.
Before entering the quarters, Centeno and Estiola claimed the scalps of Norwegians Emil Andre Gangflot and Nina Torvund (4-2, 4-1), and Peru’s Gerson Martinez and Argentina’s Soledad Ayala (4-2, 4-3).
On the other hand, Amit and Django Bustamante bowed to Fil-Canadian Alex Pagulayan and German Yvonne Hybler, 2-1, in loser round 3.
