By MARK REY MONTEJO

Filipino cue master Johann Chua crushed German Joshua Filler in, 9-1, to advance to the Round of 64 of the Spanish Open Pool 9-Ball Championship in Lugo, Spain, on Thursday, June 22.

Johann Chua. (Matchroom Pool's Facebook post)

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The world No. 2 Filler started strong as he scored the first point of the match but Chua, ranked 13th, turned into a beast and went off to score nine straight racks and wrap up their race-to-9 collision.

Chua will now possibly face formidable foes in the likes of Mieszko Fortunski (Poland), Alex Kazakis (Greece), Naoyuki Oi (Japan), Mario He (Austria) and world No. 1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain.

Meanwhile, another Filipino bet James Aranas was relegated on the loser's side disappointing loss to British Gary Wilson, 9-8. 

Aranas made a crucial scratch on his attempt on the 9 ball that could have sealed his victory.

The Canada-based Aranas needed to win twice in the bracket to keep his Round of 64 bid alive against Portuguese Bruno Bernardo.

Up next for Chua and Aranas is the World Cup of Pool slated next week also in Spain.

The Spanish Open tournament is organized by Matchroom Pool and serves as a pre-event for the World Cup of Pool where top cue artists battle it out for $200,000 prize fund.