JOHANN Chua finally earned a big one, claiming the 2024 Mansion Sports Hanoi Open 9-ball crown after outclassing Ko Pin Yi, 13-7, in the final on Sunday at Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium.
The Filipino cue artist survived a nervy start and showed poise up until the end to claim the crown after previously falling short in the World Pool Championship semifinals and in the European Open final.
READ Johann Chua out to make 'Bata' proud in inaugural 'Reyes Cup'
Chua seized the opportunity after Ko missed the 9-ball in rack 19, calmly sinking the ball before completing the runout in the final rack to claim the $30,000 cash prize.
It’s the confidence boost Chua needs before heading home to be part of Team Asia for the inaugural Reyes Cup this week.
But in Hanoi, he showed why he should be considered as one of the country’s best.
Chua found his groove in rack 2 and raced to a 7-2 lead, before Ko pounced on the Filipino’s miscues and pulled within one, 8-7.
However, the Chinese Taipei bet committed a foul on the 2-ball on rack 16 which gave the opening for Chua to once again regain the table to restore his lead.
It was an amazing week for Filipinos as well with Carlo Biado and Jeffrey Roda also reaching the Final Four for an all-Asian semifinal.
Chua bested Biado, 11-5, in their own semifinal pairing, while Roda fell to Ko, 11-2.
Also registering strong performances in the tourney were Harry Vergara, who came from the qualifying to reach the quarterfinal and even pulled off a shocker against Shane Van Boening; James Aranas and Jeffrey Ignacio who made it to the round of 16; AJ Manas and Jerson Cumayas who reached the round of 32; and Lee Van Corteza, Jundel Mazon, Raymund Faraon, Bernie Regalario, Jaycee Cordova Garcia, Marvin Asis, Michael Baoanan, Roland Garcia, Patric Gonzales, and Michael Feliciano who all made it to the last 64.
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