By MARK REY MONTEJO
Multi-titled Johann Chua reaffirmed his mastery over world No. 2 Joshua Filler of Germany as he romped to a 9-1 win to advance to the round-of-64 in the Spanish Open 9-Ball Championship in Lugo, Spain on Thursday, June 22.
Filler won the opening rack but Chua turned into a beast in the next frame to win the race-to-9 contest in runaway fashion to the delight of his supporters.
The win was Chua’s fitting follow up to his 10-3 drubbing of Filler in 2023 Maldives Open 10-Ball Championship last April.
Polish Mieszko Fortunski, Greek Alex Kazakis, Japanese Naoyuki Oi, Austrian Mario He and world No. 1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain are among the big names in Chua’s bracket.
Not fortunate was Bacolod pride James Aranas, who suffered a stinging 9-8 loss to British Gary Wilson after committing a scratch on the last ball that could’ve sealed his victory.
That pulled him down to the losers’ bracket where he needs to beat Portuguese Bruno Bernardo twice to get back into contention.
After the Spanish Open, Chua and Aranas, who is based in Canada, are also scheduled to see action in the World Cup of Pool next week.
