By MARK REY MONTEJO
Chezka Centeno regained her superb form and got back at Denden Santos, 10-6, to prevail in an all-Filipino finals of the 2025 M Arena Ladies 10-Ball Open in Indonesia Tuesday, July 22.
The 26-year-old Centeno dominated early, securing the first four racks but needed another big run to end Santos’ gallant fightback and rule the three-day meet.
It was a sort of redemption for Centeno after she bowed to Santos, 2-6, in the preliminary round.
Centeno, a Southeast Asian Games multi-champion, bagged the grand prize of $2,470 (around P140,000), while Santos took home the $1,235 (P70,276).
For Santos, the prize was an early present as she celebrates her 29th birthday next month.
The 2023 10-Ball world champion also dismantled rising star Rhaki Constantino (9-2) in the semifinal. Her other victims on the way to semis were Indonesians Emilia Johan in Last 16 (7-1) and Annita Kanjaya in the quarters (8-7).
Centeno opened her bid with a 6-2 victory against hometown bet Silviana Lu, then bowed to Santos but managed to keep her contention alive after beating Ann David Jose, 6-0.
Last week, Centeno teamed up with Jeff De Luna to top the mixed doubles category of the Indonesia International Open after crushing Denis Grabe and Pia Filler, 2-0.
