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| Johann Chua is back on top of the ladder through the Philippines Open championship. Matchroom Pool |
QUEZON CITY—Johann Chua reintroduced himself to the global billiards community by becoming the first Filipino to win the Philippines Open Pool Championship at home, taking down Anton Raga in a tight final 11-9 on Saturday night at the Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview.
While Raga showed heart, Chua showed why he is the world number 10, capitalizing on a crucial blunder to secure the win despite nearly blowing a 5-0 lead.
Raga slowly chipped away at Chua's lead and was at the cusp of forcing a hill-hill situation after taking Rack 19 in the race to 11.
However, in Rack 20, Raga scratched the cue ball right during the break, giving possession back to Chua, and he would clean up the table to seal the win.
"Kahit na lamang ako ng 5-0 kanina, hindi talaga ako makampante kasi kami ni Anton. Maraming beses na kaming naglaban eh," Chua said.
Lagi akong talo sa kanya. Marami akong talo kay Anton kasi mas magaling naman siya sa akin eh. So alam ko naman 'yon. So yung ginawa ko lang talaga doon is ginamit ko lang yung experience ko sa tournament. Which is, feeling ko, yung konting edge ko sa kanya kasi mas may experience ako when it comes to tournaments. So yun na, nag-hold lang ako dun sa feeling ko na yun na sana push ako na magkaroon ako ng mga chances sa game."
Chua's win was just a formality of an assurance that a Filipino will win it all in the Philippines Open.
After not having a Filipino semifinalist last year, everyone in the Final 4 this year was from the Philippines.
Chua booked his place in the final after beating Benok Regalario 10-2 in one semifinal, winning the next 10 racks after going down 0- 2.
Meanwhile, Raga put an end to the upset run of Baseth Mocaibat with a 10-7 win in the other semifinal.
"Nabigyan namin ng justice yung mga kapwa nating Pilipino na last year walang nakapasok sa atin eh. So ngayon, masaya kami na nakapasok kami at least simula kagabi, alam na natin na Pilipino yung mag-win ng trophy ko today," Chua said.
