By MARK REY MONTEJO
Prized cue artists Carlo Biado and Johann Chua lead the Filipino crew as they aim to bring the Philippines back on top when the 2025 US Open Pool 9-Ball Championship unfurls at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City starting Tuesday, Aug. 19 (Philippine time).
Biado and Chua banner the Nationals’ 16-man crew in the week-long competition which gives away a $500,000 prize fund that will be split by top finishers in 256 professionals and amateurs participants from across the globe.
Of course, the biggest chunk which is $100,000 (P5,703,898) will be taken by the champion in the US-based event that was previously ruled by three Filipinos in Efren “Bata” Reyes (1994), Fil-Canadian Alex Pagulayan (2005) and Biado (2021).
Less than a month since his second World Pool Championship win in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia which followed a couple of losses on American soil, the 41-year-old Biado tries to regain his superb touch against Canada’s Jason Munro at the opener of the prestigious meet.
WNT No. 2 Biado also shoots for his second crown in the 49-year-old prestige meet. He once reigned in this tournament four years ago after dismantling Singaporean Aloysius Yapp, 13-8, in the final.
While No. 4 Chua, who fresh off his third fourth WNT ranking event crown in this year’s Battle of the Bull in Roanoke, Virginia, eyes to continue his victorious ways when he faces American Floro Ritarita in his first match.
Also joining the PH squad are Marvin Asis, Michael Baoanan, Lee Vann Corteza, Roland Garcia, Patric Gonzales, Bernie Regalario, Jefrey Roda, Harry Vergara, Roberto Gomez, Charles Vergara, Glen Facun, Baseth Mocaibat, and Mark Muir.
All are set to vie against their foreign rivals on the same day.
Reigning champion and current No. 1 Fedor Gorst soldiers on to defend his crown as he spearheads the formidable list which include Spaniard Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, Albanian Eklent Kaci, Danish Mickey Krause, Taiwanese Ko Ping Chung and Yapp.
