By MARK REY MONTEJO

Johann Chua and Anthony Raga fought their way to the knockout stage while James Aranas saw the end of his campaign in the 2023 European Open Pool Championships at the Hotel Esperanto in Fulda, Germany on Friday, Aug. 11.

Chua had a firm grip of the lead from the opening rack despite some resistance from United Kingdom's Jayson Shaw and earned a 9-6 win to advance to the final 64 of the tournament that offers $30,000 (P1.6 million) to the victor

Raga, meanwhile, moved forward after a swift victory over Dutch Neils Feijin, 9-3.

Chua will face Cong Thanh Nguyen of Vietnam, while Raga meets Mateusz Sniegocki of Poland in the next round.

Aranas was not as fortunate after losing to American Shane Van Boening, 9-6.