Aug 12, 2025 | Events, News

CARLO “BLACK TIGER” BIADO ELECTED TO BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA HALL OF FAME

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) Hall of Fame welcomes four-time and reigning world champion Carlo Biado of the Philippines into the sport’s most prestigious club.

Still one of the game’s most dangerous players, Biado, 41, recently captured the 2025 WPA World 9-Ball Championship title in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He becomes the sixth Philippines-born player to be elected to the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame, following Filipino legends Efren Reyes (2003), Francisco Bustamante (2010), Jose Parica (2014), Alex Pagulayan (2019) and Dennis Orcollo (2022).

Biado will formally be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Renaissance Resort at World of Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., in conjunction with the 2025 International Open pool tournament.

“I am in shock, said Biado when being informed of the honor, adding with a laugh, “I am not expecting this now. I think I am not ready yet, but since I was elected, I’m going to take it. It is a blessing and I’m going to share this with my fellow players in the Philippines.”

Unlike his flashier countrymen, most of whom enjoyed great international tournament success almost immediately, Biado toiled for nearly a decade before tasting victory. After falling to Taiwan’s Pin-Yi Ko in the final of the 2015 WPA World 10-Ball Championship, Biado captured the gold medal at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, defeating Scotland’s Jayson Shaw in the final match. Later that year, he added a second gold in Men’s 9-Ball at the Southeast Asia Games (SEA Games) and then won his first world title, defeating countryman Roland Garcia in the title match at the 2017 WPA World 9-Ball Championship. Biado’s bid to win back-to-back WPA World 9-Ball Championships fell just short a year later, as he lost to Germany’s Joshua Filler in the final.

In 2021, Biado earned the prestigious U.S. Open 9-Ball title, beating Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp in the final. He earned another SEA Games title that year as well, winning gold in Men’s 10-Ball. In 2022, Biado teamed with fellow Filipinos Johann Chua and Rubilen Amit to capture the WPA World Teams Championship and added the Predator Pro Billiard Series Puerto Rico Open title.

In March 2024, Biado earned his third world title, topping Japan’s Naoyuki Oi to win the WPA World 10-Ball Championship in Las Vegas. And in July 2025, he defeated defending champion Fedor Gorst, 15-13, to capture the WPA World 9-Ball Championship crown in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, earning the $250,000 top prize.

“I never really thought about the Hall of Fame.” Biado said. “My main dream was always to be a world champion.”

Voting for the 2023 BCA Hall of Fame was conducted by the USBMA Hall of Fame Board, which consists of USBMA members, elected At-Large members and living members of the Hall of Fame. In his second year on the ballot, Biado was named on 42 of 46 submitted ballots (91%). South Korean woman champion Ga Young Kim, also in her second year on the ballot, was named on 30 ballots (66%). For two players to be elected in the same year from the Greatest Player ballot, both must be named on at least 70% of the ballots. American Corey Deuel was named on 15 ballots (33%). Jeremy Jones, JoAnn Mason-Parker, Stefano Pellinga, John Schmidt, Vivian Villarreal and Charlie Williams completed the 2025 ballot.

In other voting, former Pro Billiards Tour champion David Howard failed to garner the votes necessary for induction in the Veteran Players division. Howard, a two-time U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion, was recommended for consideration by the USBMA Veteran Players Committee. Passage requires a Yes vote by more than 50% of the voters. Howard’s nomination was approved on 47% of the submitted ballots.

To be eligible for consideration in the Greatest Players category, a player (a) must be 40 years old by Jan. 1 of the year of their inclusion on the ballot; (b) must have a professional playing career of at least 10 years; and (c) must have recorded significant achievements in U.S.-based and international events recognized by the Billiard Congress of America.

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About United States Billiard Media Association

Founded in 2007, the United States Billiard Media Association (USBMA) is a non-profit association dedicated to elevating the visibility and status of billiards in the media at large. The USBMA consists of professional print, radio, TV, public relations and Internet media persons who cover cue sports. One of the association’s main functions is electing of billiard media members to the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame Board for the purpose of nominating and electing players and notable figures to the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.

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About Billiard Congress of America

Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards through educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody’s game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 303.243.5070.