IN A stunning upset that capped a dominant run for Philippine cue artists, 23-year-old rising star Kyle Amoroto defeated compatriot and two-time champion Johann Chua, 11-5, to capture the prestigious All-Japan Championship title in Osaka.
Amoroto, one of the Philippines’ brightest young talents, showcased remarkable composure and shot-making ability to overcome a difficult start, pocketing the top prize of $10,666 approximately P600,000).
The championship match against the highly favored Chua, who had previously ruled the event in 2015 and 2017, began ominously for the younger contender.
Chua, known for his clinical execution, stormed out to a commanding 3-O lead appearing poised to claim a third All-Japan crown.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the fourth rack when Chua faltered, missing a key shot on the seven-ball.
Amoroto seized the opportunity, stringing together an impressive five consecutive racks to overturn the deficit and take a crucial 5-3 lead.
Displaying the poise of a seasoned veteran rather than an up-and-comer, Amoroto maintained control, consistently answering Chua’s attempts to rally. Though the veteran managed to close the gap to 7-5, Amoroto dominated the final four racks, sealing the 11-5 victory and the biggest title of his young career.
The final result secured what was already a Pinoy triumph, as the tournament culminated in an all-Filipino Final Four. The semi-finals guaranteed that the title would return home, highlighting the deep pool of talent currently emerging from the Philippines.
In the first semi-final, Amoroto faced the tough challenge of Antonio Lining.
Amoroto once again demonstrated his ability to fight back, recovering from a 5-7 deficit to ultimately close out the match, 11-8, earning his spot in the championship round.
The other semi-final was a heart-stopping thriller that pitted Chua against Rommel Santos.
In a gruelling, back-and-forth affair, Chua prevailed in a tense hill-hill battle, edging out Santos with a final score of 11-10 to set up the all-Philippine final.
The All-Japan Championship, officially the All Japan Open Championship, is one of the world’s most respected open tournaments, held annually in Osaka, Japan.
