Chua ends US Open run in semis

August 26 ------ Filipino cue artist Johann Chua ended his US Open run with a 7-11 loss to American-Russian Fedor Gorst at the Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City in New Jersey in Manila. Standing as the last Philippine player in the 256-man field tourney, Chua bagged $25,000 or P1.4 million as a semifinalist.

Chua was staging a comeback against Gorst, who was gunning for his second straight conquest of the tournament. Gorst prevented an all-Filipino semis clash after a hill-hill 10-9 win over Michael Baoanan in the quarters. A dry break by Chua in the 17th rack resulted in a runout by Gorst who went on the hill at 10-7.

Trade of safety shots at the 3-ball then favored Gorst, who drilled the 3 and went on to clear the 18th rack to advance to the final. Chua topped German Thorsten Hohmann, 10-2, in the round of 64; Greek Alexander Kazakis in the round of 32, 10-6, Serbian Aleksa Pecelj in the last 16, 10-7, and Dutch Neils Feijen in the quarters, 10-2. Gorst fell and yielded the crown to Singaporean Aloysius Yapp, 11-13. Gorst seized $50,000 or P2.8 million for his runner-up finish while Yapp claimed $100,000 or P5.6 million.

The other Filipinos who reached the knockout phase of the tournament were 2-time 9-ball world champ Carlo Biado, Jefrey Roda, Marvin Asis, Lee Vann Corteza, Bernie Regalario, Baseth Mocaibat, Harry Vergara, and Roberto Gomez.

Source: manilatimes.net