JAPAN 9-BALL WINNERS. From left, Chang Yuan of Taiwan (semifinalist), Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan (champion), Jeffrey de Luna of the Philippines (second place) and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany (semifinalist) pose with their prizes at the awards ceremony.
Filipino cue artist Jeffrey de Luna bowed to Taiwanese Ko Pin-yi, 3-11, on Wednesday night and settled for runner-up honors in the 49th Annual All Japan 9-Ball Championship 2016 at the Archaic Hall in Amagasaki City, Hyogo, Japan.
De Luna marched to the finals of the World Pool-Billiard Association-rated event after beating Chang Yuan of Taiwan, 11-7, in the semis.
Ko on the other hand, advanced to the payoff round by edging Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, 11-8.
“Masayang-masaya po ako at nakapasok ako sa finals kasi walang tumimbang na Pinoy sa world events sa taong ito,” said De Luna.
De Luna’s wife Ian revealed that her husband is inspired to play in the cash-rich event because their fourth child is due next year. She also reminded her husband to be humble always.
“Humble yourself and always be grateful to God,” said Ian.
Earlier, De Luna, a habitue of Star Billiards Center and King of Sports Resto Bar, crushed Toru Kuribayashi of Japan, 11-6, in the Round-of-64; compatriots Ramil Gallego, 11-6, in the Round of-32; Warren Kiamco, 11-8, in the Round-of-16 and former world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, 11-6, in the Round of 8, respectively.
Ko pocketed the champion’s purse worth $25,000 while De Luna settled for the $12,000 runner-up prize in the Filipino’s second impressive performance this year.
Last August, the 32-year-old Quezon City resident dismantled WPA World No.1 Chang Jung-lin of Taiwan, 13-7, in the final of the CBSA 9 ball event in Shanghai, China and went home $15,000 richer.
De Luna will resume his quest for glory next month in the Senator Manny Pacquiao Billiard tournament slated December 6 to 17 in General Santos City.