Johann Chua flashed his brilliance and routed Dang Jing Hu of China, 11-3, to barge into the semifinals and become the last Filipino standing in the 2024 World Pool Championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday, June 7 (early Saturday in Manila).

The reigning World Cup of Pool champion banked on an impressive seven breaks and runs to frustrate his Dang, the reigning Spanish Open champion, and inch closer to the trophy in this $1 million tournament.

It was a fitting win for Chua as he dedicated it to his son Justin, who is celebrating his first birthday.

“I was motivated to win. I was playing for my son’s first birthday,” said Chua during a post-game interview.

“I think I did really well in this match. I was breaking well and I hope I can continue this tomorrow,” he added.

Prior to ousting Dang, the Filipino cue artist outplayed last year’s runner-up Mohammad Soufi of Syria, 11-8.

Up next for the multiple Southeast Asian Games medalist will be Eklent Kaci of Turkey, a 2017 semifinalist and last year’s UK 9-ball champion, who eliminated Filipino bet Jeffrey Ignacio, 11-7.

PH bet Anton Raga also came close with a stunning 11-7 victory over 2018 champion Joshua Filler of Germany in the Round of 16, but lost some gas against 2019 winner Fedor Gorst of the United States, 11-4, in the quarters.

Gorst’s win arranged the other semis pairing against Poland’s Wojciech Szewczyk, who toppled teammate Wiktor Zielinski, 11-5.

The tournament offers $250,000 to the champion.

The last time a Filipino won the tournament was in 2017 courtesy of Carlo Biado. He came close to retaining his title, but lost in the finals to Filler in 2018.