27 Filipino cue masters qualify for World 9-Ball tourney in Qatar

Twenty-seven Filipino billiard masters have qualified to enter the 25th World 9-Ball Championship at the Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha, Qatar that kicked off on July 25.

A report on Unang Balita on Monday said among the 27 Filipinos in the tournament were Lee Van Corteza, Dennic Orcollo, and Johann Chua.

The country's roster of billiard masters also features World Pool Association Number 6 Carlo Biado, 2013 World 9-Ball Championship first runner-up Antonio Gabica, and 10-year old K'D Keane Derek Rota who made history as the youngest player to participate in a billiard tournament.

More than 100 players are competing in the tournament that will run until August 4, where a P1.8 million prize ($40,000) awaits the grand winner.

Django Bustamante was the last Filipino to win the World 9-Ball Championship in 2010, after beating Kuo Po Chen of Chinese Taipei with a score of 13-7. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News