By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Johann Chua put on an awe-inspiring performance and routed Spanish Open titlist Dang Jing Hu of China, 11-3, to barge into the semifinals of the 2024 World Pool Championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday, June 7 (early Saturday in Manila).
The reigning World Cup of Pool champion banked on his powerful breaks that saw him win seven games in convincing fashion, leaving his Chinese foe downtrodden while his supporters – mostly OFWs in the oil-rich kingdom – erupted in joy each time he produced a brilliant shot.
For reaching the semis, Chua is already assured of pocketing $50,000 (around P2.9 million) in the $1 million event.
But the way he’s performing – not to mention the support of OFWs – many expect Chua to win the ultimate prize – not to mention the fame he will earn.
Moments after the game, Chua dedicated his smashing win to his son Justin, who was celebrating his first birthday.
“I was motivated to win. I was playing for my son’s first birthday,” said Chua during a post-game interview.
“I think I did really well in this match. I was breaking well and I hope I can continue this tomorrow,” he added as he remained the last Filipino standing in the glamorous event.
Prior to ousting Dang, the Filipino cue artist outplayed last year’s runner-up Mohammad Soufi of Syria, 11-8.
Up next for the multiple Southeast Asian Games medalist will be Eklent Kaci of Turkey, a 2017 semifinalist and last year’s UK 9-ball champion, who eliminated Filipino bet Jeffrey Ignacio, 11-7.
Rising star Anton Raga was also not fortunate as he suffered an 11-4 defeat to American Fedor Gorst in the quarters – just hours after pulling off an 11-7 win over 2018 champion Joshua Filler of Germany in the Round of 16.
Gorst’s win arranged the other semis pairing against Poland’s Wojciech Szewczyk, who toppled teammate Wiktor Zielinski, 11-5.
The tournament offers $250,000 to the champion.
The last time a Filipino won the tournament was in 2017 courtesy of Carlo Biado. He came close to retaining his title, but lost in the finals to Filler in 2018.
