By MARK REY MONTEJO
Johann Chua, Lee Vann Corteza and Carlo Biado led the Philippines’ assault by winning their respective preliminary assignments in the 2024 US 9-Ball Open Championship at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Tuesday, Aug. 20 (Manila time).
Still reeling from his shock finals defeat in the Euro Open, Chua dismantled Vietnam’s Dang Thanh Kien (9-1) to move one win away from joining the Round of 64 of the six-day competition that has a prize pool of $300,000 (P16,962,450 million).
Up next for Chua in the event that attracted 256 elite players from across the globe is Taiwanese Liu Ri Teng.
Chua, who drew an early bye in the prelims, is looking to bounce back from that Euro Open disappointment that saw him suffer a 13-8 defeat to Denmark’s Mickey Krause in the finals despite being the favorite to win the match.
Corteza was equally impressive as he toppled American Mike Dechaine (9-3) and Vietnam’s Nguyen Hai Dan (9-4). His next opponent is Japanese Nayuki Oi.
After also drawing an early bye, Biado crushed American Robert Hart, 9-1, to set up a collision with UK’s Chris Melling.
Other Filipino bets who emerged victorious were Michael Baoanan, Marvin Asis, Jeffrey Ignacio, Jefrey Roda and Hong Kong-based Robbie Capito.
