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| Team Asia's Johann Chua, Efren 'Bata' Reyes, Puyat Sports founder and owner Aristeo 'Putch' Puyat, Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer, Team Europe's Karl Boyes, and Jayson Shaw. Cignal |
MANILA--Johann Chua did not intend to cry with a national and international television camera on him.
However, he was so emotional on Sunday night, and it was forgivable.
The 32-year-old native of Bacolod just beat Ko Pin-Yi of Chinese Taipei in the final of the Hanoi Open to finally win a major billiards championship.
No wonder why he was teary-eyed when he lifted his championship trophy.
"Hindi ko talaga mapigilan yung emosyon ko. Actually, ayaw ko talagang umiyak sa harap ng camera, but sobrang thankful ako na nagamit yung mga past experiences ko nitong taon," Chua said when he returned home on Monday.
After some heartbreaking semifinal exits and blown chances in the finals, Chua finally scored the big one.
"To be able to prove sa sarili ko na na-surpass ko yung problema ko, isang bagay na magagamit mo sa laro," he further said.
However, the work does not stop there as Chua swings back into action after a one-day break in the inaugural Reyes Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Chua headlines Team Asia with compatriot Carlo Biado, Singapore's Aloysius Yapp, Vietnam's Duong Quoc Hoang, and interestingly enough, Ko, his final opponent.
This time, Chua wants to set that match against Ko aside and use their friendship to the entire team's advantage against mighty Team Europe, composed of Scotland's Jayson Shaw, Albania's Eklent Kaci, Denmark's Mickey Krause, and Spain's Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and David Alcaide.
"Outside pool, magkakaibigan naman talaga kami. Maganda yung mga communication namin," Chua further said.
He admitted, though, that Team Asia, to be captained and coached by Efren "Bata" Reyes, could be pressed for time in getting the needed chemistry to stun Team Europe, which has been formidable being one squad as well in the Mosconi Cup against the United States.
"Sana magkaroon lang kami ng mas magandang bonding tomorrow sa arena at mag-jive kami nang mabuti since yun talaga yung lamang ng Europe sa atin dahil sanay na sila sa format na ito," Chua further said.
However, he said that the billiard fans should expect surprises in the Reyes Cup which runs from Tuesday to Friday, but he hopes most of them would come from Team Asia.
"Bukas, pag nasa arena na, talent na yung lalabas dito. Bulagaan na lang ito. Kung sino ang mabulaga natin bukas at sino ang maunang kumurap, talo," Chua vowed.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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