By MARK REY MONTEJO
Jefrey Roda couldn’t sustain the momentum of winning over compatriot Johann Chua (10-7) as he succumbed to American star Fedor Gorst, 10-5, in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 US 9-Ball Open Championship at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey Saturday, Aug 25 (Manila Time).
Making his maiden appearance in the prestigious event, Roda tried to keep his amazing run going but found Gorst too hot to handle with the American racing to a 5-0 lead.
That proved too hard to overcome although Roda displayed flashes of brilliance that saw him pocket several incredible shots.
Still, Roda was happy with his experience playing a top-tier event apart from going home with $6,750 (roughly P380,000) consolation prize.
With his win, Gorst, the 2024 World Pool Masters (WPM) king, will battle Dutch Niels Feijen in the semifinal round while in the other pairing will pit five-time US Open champ Shane Van Boening against Germany’s Joshua Filler.
Before his exit, Roda made a huge turnaround against Chua in their round-of-16 clash but the win didn’t come easy as it looked.
After trailing 7-3, Chua almost flipped the script by cutting the deficit down to 8-7 and almost leveled the score in the 16th rack but the 2023 World Cup of Pool ruler failed to drop the No. 2 ball to his chagrin.
Roda coolly completed a 2-9 combination that saw him heave a sigh of relief.
Chua also had several chances in the next frame but could not complete his run that paved the way for Roda’s smooth 3-9 combination.
The pride of Manila also turned back American Elias Patrkios (9-1), UK’s Darren Appleton (9-2), Filler (9-6), Poland’s Wiktor Zielenski (10-2), and Jeffrey Ignacio (10-9).
Meanwhile, Michael Baoanan gave WPM titlist Spain’s David Alcaide a huge scare, 10-9, in the round-of-16.
Baoanan and Chua will not go home empty-handed as both are assured $4,500 (roughly P250,000).
