The inaugural Marboys Open, a thrilling new addition to the World Nineball Tour (WNT) calendar, delivered world-class pool action in Parañaque City, Philippines, where local hero Johann Chua triumphed in impressive fashion to secure the title.
Chua’s journey to victory wasn’t without its challenges. In a tightly contested semi-final, he narrowly overcame rising Filipino star AJ Manas. However, in the final, Chua showed his class, delivering a dominant performance to defeat Aloysius Yapp 13-2. This victory marks Chua’s third WNT title of the year, further solidifying his remarkable achievements following his victories at the Hanoi Open and the Reyes Cup with Team Asia.
The win earned Chua $18,000 and securing his position at fourth in the WNT rankings, surpassing Alcaide, Yapp, and Ko Pin Chung. Yapp, who earned $9,000 for his runner-up finish, now sits fifth. Meanwhile, Francisco Sanchez Ruiz remains in the top three, bolstered by a strong quarter-final showing.
Johann Chua said: “I’m thrilled with the victory, especially since it’s in my home country. I’m still a bit speechless about what’s happened over the past few months, but I’m focused on next year and doing everything I can to improve.”
The Marboys Open not only showcased Chua’s dominance but also underscored the growing prominence of pool in the Philippines, with passionate fans rallying behind their champion.
As the 2024 year nears its conclusion, attention now shifts to the 3rd Universal Chinese Taipei Open, taking place from December 16–18, 2024, in Taipei City. There, Chua will be hunting for a third WNT ranking event title, joined by fellow elite players including Reyes Cup MVP Aloysius Yapp, UK Open champion Robbie Capito, European Open champion Mickey Krause, former World Champions Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and Carlo Biado, and Chinese Taipei’s Ko Ping Chung and Ko Pin Yi.
Expect more thrilling action as the year wraps up.
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