MANILA – Filipino pool star Johann Chua rules the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bull by defeating American legend Shane Van Boening, 13-8, in the final on Sunday in Roanoke, Virginia.
The Bacolod City-native went unbeaten in the 128-man tournament to claim the $20,000 top prize, giving him a timely boost heading into the 2025 US Open Championship in Atlantic City, New Jersey, this week.
The victory was also his fourth World Nineball Tour (WNT) ranking event title.
“Champion of WNT Battle of the Bulls 2025! My 4th WNT ranking event title!” Chua said in a Facebook post. “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to all of my supporters, my friends, family and sponsors.”
Chua also acknowledged his finals opponent, Van Boening, saying that it was an honor for him to play a veteran cue master.
“Your game and demeanor are undeniably something to learn from. Thank you to Wolf’s Den and to Matchroom Pool for making this tournament possible. It’s always a great experience playing on ranking events like this,” Chua said.
Chua, who previously bowed out in the Last 32 of the World Pool Championship, was in peak form in Virginia. He overpowered Duoc Quong Hoang of Vietnam, 11-5, in the semifinals after dispatching Poland’s Wiktor Zielinski, 9-6, in the quarterfinals.
In earlier rounds, he eliminated Max Lechner of Austria, 9-5; Walter Laikre of Sweden, 9-5; Payne McBride of the USA, 9-7; Jani Siekkinen of Finland, 9-3; and Trung Le Quang of Vietnam, 9-7./PN
