CHUA CHASES WORLD TITLE GLORY FOR HIS NATION | DAY TWO OF 2025 WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Johann Chua stormed into the World Pool Championship with a flawless 9–0 whitewash against Mohamed Al-Balkhi, kicking off his title bid in style and showing that the Philippines remains a force in the sport.
In collaboration with the Saudi Arabia Billiard & Snooker Federation and under the supervision of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport, the 2025 World Pool Championship—the crown jewel of the World Nineball Tour—returns to the iconic Green Halls in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 21–26 July.
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One of the pre-tournament favourites, Chua wasted no time asserting himself with a swift and clinical performance. Yet, despite the scoreline, the Filipino star was modest in his assessment:
“I’m not really happy with my performance — I just feel lucky that I had a lot of opportunities. I’m still trying to adjust to the table, but it’s always good to get that first win. Hopefully, I can keep improving and play better in the next matches.”
Chua also underlined the significance of chasing pool’s most prestigious title—not only for himself but for his nation:
“It would mean a lot to us. It would be a reminder that the Philippines is still one of the strongest nations in pool. As we all know, the greatest player of all time — Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes — comes from our country. So for a Filipino to win this tournament, it would be a proud moment and a way to put the Philippines back on the map.”
Reflecting on his journey over the past year, Chua added:
“The 2024 UK Open was a wake-up call for me. I didn’t even make the Last 64 and was playing really poorly in the first quarter of 2024. After that, I went back home, worked hard, and slowly regained confidence in myself. I had a strong run at the World Championship, then reached the final of the European Open and learned a lot from that loss. I’m really proud that I was able to finish the year by winning the Hanoi Open.”
Following in Chua’s footsteps, fellow Filipino AJ “Starboy” Manas also progressed to the Winners’ Qualification round after a gritty 9–6 win over compatriot Alexis Ferrer.
“I definitely felt a lot of pressure, but I’m glad I managed to get the win. When I saw I was drawn against him in the first round, it hit me—because we’ve played each other so many times before. Win or lose, it’s always okay between us, because we’re both Filipino and there’s a lot of mutual respect.”
Manas echoed Chua’s hopes of Filipino success deep into the tournament:
“As a Filipino, I really hope more of us make it to the Last 16 or even the Last 32 this year. I’m also hoping for a strong result for myself—it would mean a lot.”
Former world champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz looked sharp in his opening match, defeating Saudi’s Hamza Al Awaidi 9–3. The Spaniard capitalised on early mistakes and played with control throughout.
“I feel great! My opponent missed a few chances, and I made sure to take mine. It’s always important to start with a win—it gives you confidence and a good feeling going into the next rounds. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”
Ruiz also spoke about the personal meaning of the event:
“This tournament means a lot to me—it’s the biggest event in the world. I’ve come close before, and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got to try and lift that trophy.”
Another past champion, Ko Pin Yi, made a confident start to his own campaign with a 9–4 victory over Bader Alawadhi.
“It feels great to kick off the tournament with a solid win. I was confident and focused out there, and it’s always important to build momentum early. Right now, I’m feeling sharp—both mentally and physically.”
Ko also reflected on the possibility of repeating his 2015 triumph:
“Winning this title again, exactly 10 years on from my last, would mean a lot. It would reflect how far I’ve come, how much I’ve matured as a player, and the work I’ve put in to stay at this level. It would be something really special.”
Elsewhere, Seo Seoa, the tournament’s only female competitor, kept her championship dreams alive after bouncing back from a first-round loss to Daniel Maciol. The Korean cueist delivered a 9–3 win over JJ Fauls to stay in the competition.
“I’m proud of the win—Fauls is a great player, so to come through 9–3 is a big achievement. I’m the only woman in the tournament, but I’m here to enjoy the experience and show what I can do.”
The action continues tomorrow, with last year’s runner-up Eklent Kaçi set to begin his campaign in a high-profile clash against fan favourite Chris “The Magician” Melling to open day three.
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