By MARK MONTEJO
Johann Chua and James Aranas got off to a rousing start after eliminating the defending champions and hometown favorites Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and David Alcaide, 7-5, in the opening salvo of the World Cup of Pool 9-Ball Championship in Lugo, Spain on Tuesday, June 27.
*Johann Chua and James Aranas celebrate after winning against defending champs Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and David Alcaide of Spain. (Matchroom Pool's Facebook post)*
The Spanish Team A duo built an early 2-0 advantage in the race-to-7 showdown but Chua and Aranas won three racks for a 3-2 lead in the tournament that offers $60,000 (P3.3 million) to the winner.
Not to be deterred, Ruiz and Alcaide answered back and briefly took a 5-3 lead before the Filipino tandem silenced the home crowd with four straight racks to seal the victory and advance to the next round where they await the victor between Spain's Team B and Saudi Arabia.
Chua, who hails from Bacolod City, and the Canada-based Aranas recently competed in the Spanish Open but bowed out in contention with identical 10-9 losses against Chinese Wu Jia Quing and Norwegian youngster Emil Andre Gangflot in the Round of 64.
Johann Chua and James Aranas got off to a rousing start after eliminating the defending champions and hometown favorites Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and David Alcaide, 7-5, in the opening salvo of the World Cup of Pool 9-Ball Championship in Lugo, Spain on Tuesday, June 27.
*Johann Chua and James Aranas celebrate after winning against defending champs Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and David Alcaide of Spain. (Matchroom Pool's Facebook post)*
The Spanish Team A duo built an early 2-0 advantage in the race-to-7 showdown but Chua and Aranas won three racks for a 3-2 lead in the tournament that offers $60,000 (P3.3 million) to the winner.
Not to be deterred, Ruiz and Alcaide answered back and briefly took a 5-3 lead before the Filipino tandem silenced the home crowd with four straight racks to seal the victory and advance to the next round where they await the victor between Spain's Team B and Saudi Arabia.
Chua, who hails from Bacolod City, and the Canada-based Aranas recently competed in the Spanish Open but bowed out in contention with identical 10-9 losses against Chinese Wu Jia Quing and Norwegian youngster Emil Andre Gangflot in the Round of 64.