Chua, Biado deliver opening blow for PH crew in US Open

August 20 ------ Johann Chua and Carlo Biado delivered the opening blow for the Filipino representatives in the 2025 US Open Pool 9-Ball Championship, toppling their respective foes in the preliminaries at the Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City.

Straight from his Battle of the Bull victory last weekend, Chua continued to carry the momentum after beating American Floro Ritarita (9-5) and Dutch Quinten Pongers (9-7) in his first two assignments. The two-time World Pool Championship winner Biado, for his part, flexed his might right away as he cruised past Canadian Jason Munro, 9-1.

Up next for the 41-year-old Biado is German Boris Ivanovski for his second task in the preliminaries.

Chua (No. 4) and Biado (No. 2) are expected to enter the knockout stages of the 256-man tournament which offers a grand winner’s purse of $100,000 (around P5.7 million). Michael Baoanan was also victorious after collecting the scalps of American Rajmond Pali (9-4), and Italian Francesco Candela (9-3). He, however, faces an uphill climb as he tangles with reigning champion Fedor Gorst for his next assignment.

Marvin Asis, Lee Vann Corteza, Roland Garcia, Bernie Regalario, Jefrey Roda, Roberto Gomez, and Baseth Mocaibat also notched their respective wins, while Harry Vergara split his two matches. Patric Gonzales, Charles Darwin Vergara, Glen Facun, and Mark Muir need to win to stay in contention after yielding in their first games.

Source: mb.com.ph