By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Filipino cue artist Johann Chua emerged as the champion of the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bull after defeating American great Shane Van Boening, 13-8, in the finals in Roanoke, Virginia on Sunday, August 17.

The Bacolod City native completed an unbeaten run in the 128-player field to secure the $20,000 winner’s purse.

The victory not only gave him momentum ahead of the 2025 US Open Championship in Atlantic City, New Jersey this week, but also marked his fourth World Nineball Tour (WNT) ranking event crown.

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to all of my supporters, my friends, family, and sponsors,” Chua posted on Facebook.

He also praised Van Boening, saying it was an honor to play against the veteran star.

“Your game and demeanor are undeniably something to learn from. Thank you to Wolf’s Den and to Matchroom Pool for making this tournament possible. It’s always a great experience playing in ranking events like this,” he added.

Chua entered the tournament on the back of a Last 32 finish in the World Pool Championship but showed fine form in Virginia.

He dominated Vietnam’s Duoc Quong Hoang, 11-5, in the semifinals after downing Poland’s Wiktor Zielinski, 9-6, in the quarterfinals.

In earlier rounds, he ousted Max Lechner of Austria, 9-5; Walter Laikre of Sweden, 9-5; Payne McBride of the US, 9-7; Jani Siekkinen of Finland, 9-3; and Trung Le Quang of Vietnam, 9-7./ASC, WDJ