By MARK REY MONTEJO
Johann Chua made sure the title won’t slip from his hand this time as he dumped Jeffrey Ignacio, 13-5, in the all-Filipino 9-Ball 99 David Loman Cup finals in Hanoi Vietnam Tuesday evening, June 24.
Seeking redemption after a crushing defeat in the 9-Ball Peri Tribute Cup finals last week, Chua immediately took control of the match, coming though with powerful breaks and several tough shots – thanks to his superb strokes – to surge ahead, 7-2.
Ignacio tried to stage a rally, but Chua had every answer to his brilliance and eventually sealed the deal with a series superb combinations.
“2025 99 DAVID LOMAN CUP CHAMPION! Congrats rin sa aking matalik na kaibigan Jeffrey Ignacio,” Chua wrote on his social media post. “Maraming salamat sa walang sawang pag suporta niyo samin palagi. Laban lang tayo ng laban.”
Aside from the gleaming trophy, the 2023 World Cup of Pool champion bagged a winner’s purse of $3,200 (roughly P182,000), while Ignacio pocketed $1,200.
It was a fitting triumph for Chua after falling short against Vietnamese ace Nguyen Anh Tuan, 13-4, in the finals of the 9-Ball Peri Tribute Cup.
The journey of the Southeast Games gold medalist wasn’t smooth-sailing at all as he sustained an 11-5 setback to Bryant Saguiped in the opening round that sent him to the losers’ bracket of the 128-man field.
Chua, however, recovered by outlasting Vietnamese bets Khai Tony (11-9), Le Anh Dang (11-5), Chi Hieu (11-4), and FilipinoAnton Raga (11-8) to advance to the second stage.
He continued his recovery run with wins over Trinh Van Binh (11-4), Dung Han (11-5), Luong Van Tuan (11-5), and Dang Thanh Kien (11-7) to book his final ticket.
Carlo Biado, AJ Manas, and Michael Feliciano were some of the big names whot took part in the competition but were not fortunate as Chua.
