Johann Chua bags nine-ball title in Virginia

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Mr. “Atin To” is back on top of the World Nineball Tour.

After a disappointing run at the recent World Pool Championship, Johann Chua bounced back with a dominant performance to win the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bull tournament on Aug. 17, 2025, in Roanoke, Virginia.

The Filipino pool star delivered a clinical finish to defeat USA’s Shane Van Boening, 13–8, and complete an undefeated run from the opening round to the finals.

To book a championship showdown with Van Boening, Chua had to overcome Vietnamese standout Duoc Quong Hoang in the semifinals.

He dominated the match, posting an 11–5 win to eliminate one of the tournament’s hottest contenders.

In the final, Chua faced off against the legendary American in a high-level display of skill and strategy.

Chua struck first, using airtight defense and precise banking to take control of the opening racks.

His early momentum limited Van Boening’s chances and set the tone for the match.

The American veteran closed the gap midway, cutting Chua’s lead to two racks, but Chua regained command with a run of near-perfect play to build a 12–8 cushion.

With just one rack to go, Chua delivered a flawless break—sinking two balls and setting up an ideal table layout.

He then executed a textbook positional game to clear the remaining seven balls and seal the victory.

Chua’s campaign began with a tight 9–7 win over Vietnam’s Trung Le Quang.

He followed up with a dominant 9–3 victory over Finland’s Jani Siekkinen.

In his final group match, he edged USA’s Payne McBride, 9–7, to enter the knockout rounds.

He beat Sweden’s Walter Laikre, 9–5, in the Round of 32, then repeated the same scoreline against Austria’s Max Lechner in the Round of 16.

Chua’s victory in Virginia marks another milestone in his rising career on the global stage.

Mabuhay ka, Johann Chua—atin talaga ’to!