Filipino cue artist Johann "Bad Koi" Chua pulled away in the last five racks of 9-ball play to secure his first Mansion Sports Hanoi Open title against Chinese Taipei's Ko Pin Yi
Filipino billiards sensation Johann Chua delivered a commanding performance to win the 2024 Mansion Sports Hanoi Open, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Ko Pin Yi 13-7 in a thrilling final on October 13, 2024.
Chua, who displayed composure throughout the match, took an early lead. Ko Pin Yi fought back, closing the gap to 8-7, but Chua surged ahead to secure the victory, finishing the contest with a dominating 13-7 scoreline.
This win gives Chua his first world major 9-ball championship title, cementing his reputation as one of the top players in the international billiards scene.
Before reaching the finals, Chua faced off against his compatriot, Carlo Biado, in an intense semifinal match, where he emerged victorious with an 11-5 win.
Following his success in Hanoi, Chua will now turn his focus to the inaugural Reyes Cup, scheduled for October 15-18, 2024.
Named after Filipino billiards legend Efren "Bata" Reyes, the tournament will see Chua join forces with Biado, Vietnam's Duong Quoc Hoang, Singapore's Aloysius Yapp, and Ko Pin Yi to form Team Asia.
Team Europe, captained by Karl Boyes, will feature renowned players like Spain's Sanchez Ruiz, Scotland's Jayson Shaw, Germany's Joshua Filler, Albania's Eklent Kaçi, and Denmark's Mickey Krause.
Efren "Bata" Reyes, regarded as one of the greatest billiards players of all time, will serve as the captain of Team Philippines but will not participate as a player.
The highly anticipated Reyes Cup promises to be an exciting event, uniting the world's top billiards players in a showcase of skill and strategy.
Johann Chua's recent victory at the Mansion Sports Hanoi Open sets the stage for what could be another career-defining moment in the upcoming Reyes Cup.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]