By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Johann Chua’s quest to become the third Filipino to win the prestigious US Open Pool 9-Ball Championship came to an end in the semifinals at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City on Saturday, Aug. 23.
The 2023 World Cup of Pool champion couldn’t summon enough firepower and fell to defending champion Fedor Gorst, 11-7, in their race-to-11 semifinal showdown.
Chua admitted that pressure got into him in the pivotal stretch of the game.
“I’m sorry I failed to get the trophy. I was uncomfortable on my first few racks,” he wrote on social media.
“The pressure (was) too high. I managed to collect myself midway, but it was a bit too late,” he added.
Nevertheless, he said the experience was something he would cherish in future tournaments and even thanked the opponents he faced along the way.
“Please know I honor all of you and thank you for our tough matches. I was able to learn more. It gears me up to be better,” Chua said.
He also thanked the people who supported him throughout the tournament.
“Maraming salamat po sa aking mga kababayan at mga taga-suporta na napuyat kakaabang at panonood sa mga laro ko. Babawi po tayo sa susunod, pangako, mas gagalingan ko pa,” Chua said.
“Walang sukuan. Laban lang nang laban!” he added.
Gorst, incidentally, also prevented an all-Filipino semis after edging out Michael Baoanan in a hard-fought quarterfinal match, 10-9.
However, Gorst’s title defense fell short after losing to to Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp, 13-11.
Yapp’s road to the title was nothing short of dominant. He eliminated Filipino Jefrey Roda, 10-2, in the Last 16, then edged Germany’s Joshua Filler, 10-8, in the quarters, before cruising past Chinese Taipei’s Ko Pin Yi, 11-4, in the semis.
The championship marked a sweet redemption for Yapp, who lost to Filipino Carlo Biado in the finals of the 2021 edition.
With this victory, Yapp claimed the $100,000 (around P5.7 million) top prize from the tournament’s $500,000 (around P28.2 million) total prize pool.
Chua, meanwhile, didn’t go home empty-handed. His semis finish earned him a $25,000 (around P1.4 million).
Before reaching the Final Four, Chua displayed superb form, outlasting Germany’s Thorsten Hohmann (10-9) and Greece’s Alexander Kazakis (10-6) in the knockout rounds. He also topped American Floro Ritarita (9-5), Dutchman Quinten Pongers (9-7), and fellow Filipino Roland Garcia (9-7) in the preliminary phase.
A total of 15 Filipino cue artists competed in the 256-player field, with 10 advancing to the Last 64 knockout stage.
