Chua rules Hanoi Open

FILIPINO cue artist Johann Chua ruled the 2024 Hanoi Open after defeating Taiwanese Ko Pin-yi in the final, 13-7, at the Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium on Sunday night. Ko, also known as the "Filipino Slayer," missed the 9-ball on the 19th rack, dooming him as Chua capitalized on the miss. "Bad Koi" easily went on a runout in the 20th, where he yelled "Satin na 'to" (This is ours) after pocketing the 8-ball to the middle, much to the delight of the Filipino crowd in attendance. Chua then sent the 9-ball to the corner pocket to win the tournament as he jumped on the table and raised his fists in celebration. The 32-year-old Chua pocketed $30,000, or more than P1.7 million, in prize money for his championship, while the 35-year-old Ko bagged $15,000 or about P860,000. Chua followed the victories of his compatriots Rubilen Amit and Carlo Biado, who topped the Women's World 9-Ball Championship and Ho Chi Minh City Open last month. But Chua didn't breeze to the championship. He started strong and gained a 7-2 advantage, but Ko battled back, pulling within a rack, 7-8. Ko, however, could not get any closer as he fouled on 2-ball, paving the way for Chua to win the 16th rack and the next four to claim the title. Chua added the Hanoi Open to his career highlighted by a doubles championship with James Aranas in the 2023 World Cup of Pool and a singles title in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games. For 2024, Chua reached the semifinals of the World Pool Championship in Saudi Arabia last June and the finals of the European Open in Germany last August, falling short in both tourneys but finally getting over the hump this time in Hanoi. Chua will be one of Team Asia's players in the upcoming Inaugural Reyes Cup slated from October 15 to 18 in Manila.