FILIPINO cue artist Jeffrey de Luna lost to Taiwanese Ko Pin-yi, 3-11, in the finals and settled for the runner-up trophy of the 49th annual All Japan 9-Ball Championship 2016 (World Pool-Biliard Association rated event) Wednesday night at the Archaic hall in Amagasaki-city, Hyogo, Japan.
De Luna marched to the finals after beating Chang Yuan of Taiwan, 11-7, in the semis while Ko advanced by edging Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, 11-8.
"Masayang-masaya po ako nakapasok ako sa finals kasi walang tumimbang na Pinoy sa world event sa taong ito," said De Luna.
Jeffrey's wife Ian had something to say. "Humble yourself and always be grateful to God," said the proud wife Ian, who is schedule to to give birth next year. "Inspire maglaro asawa ko kasi next year isisilang na ang pang apat na anak namin," she added.
Earlier, De Luna, a habitue of Star Billiards Center and King of Sports Resto Bar, crushed Toru Kuribayashi of Japan, 11-6, in the Round-of-64, Ramil Gallego, 11-6, in the Round of 32, Warren Kiamco, 11-8, in the Round-of-16 and Dennis Orcollo, 11-6, in the Round of 8, respectively.
Ko pocketed the $25,000 top purse while De Luna claimed the $12,000 runner-up prize.
It was De Luna?s second impressive performance this year.
Last August, the 32-year-old Quezon City resident dismantled WPA World No.1 Chang Jung-lin of Taiwan, 13-7, in the finals of CBSA 9 ball event in Shanghai, China to went home the top prize of $15,000.
De Luna will resume his quest for glory next month for the Senator Manny Pacquiao Billiard tournament on December 6 to 17 in General Santos City.
Photo (L-R): Chang Yuan of Taiwan (semi-finalist), Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan (Champion), Jeffrey de Luna of the Philippines (second Place), Thorsten Hohmann of Germany (semi-finalist).
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