NAGKAMPEON si Filipino cue artist Johann Chua sa katatapos na 2017 All Japan 10-Ball Championship nitong Huwebes ng gabi sa Archaic Hall sa Amagasaki, Japan.

Tinalo ni Chua ang kababayang si Jundel Mazon, 11-2, sa men’s division finals para maibulsa ang top prize $15,000. Nakamit naman ni Mazon ang runner-up purse $8,000.

Nagawang iwanan agad ni Chua ang laro ng kunin ang 4-0 hanggang 9-1 commanding lead at hindi na nagawang lumingon pa sa race to 11, winner’s break format.

Pinatalsik ni Chua si Liu Hai Tao ng China, 11-2, sa semifinals habang angat naman si Mazon kay Chang Yu-Long ng Taiwan, 11-8, sa isa pang final four matches.

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Sa kaagahan ng laban, giniba ni Chua sina Asano Masato ng Japan sa Round-of-16 (11-4) at kababayang si Jeffrey Ignacio sa quarterfinals (11-10) habang angat naman si Mazon kontra kina Ko Ping-Chung ng Chinese-Taipei, 11-6, at Cheng Yu-Hsuan ng Taiwan,11-10.

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone. Thank you for all the support. Thank you for those who believed that I can make it once again, especially to my loved ones who were there through thick and thin. You guys have no idea how your support makes me more confident in every shot that I make,” pahayag ni Chua na nagbukas ng kanyang pool hall (Cue Spot Billiard Lounge) sa Maynila.

“Words are not enough to describe how grateful I am today and for the never ending blessings God has given me. Winning 2017 All Japan Championship and Opening my very own pool hall is such a great honor to prove that billiard in the Philippines is still not dead,” dagdag ni Chua. - Gilbert Espena