JOHANN Chua, one of the Philippines’ top billiards players, was notably absent from the recent World 8-Ball Championship in New Zealand. In a heartfelt social media post, Chua explained his decision to boycott all events sanctioned by the World Pool Association (WPA), the sport’s global governing body.
“Many of you have been asking why I didn’t participate in the World 8-Ball in New Zealand. It’s the same reason I skipped the ACBS Formosa Cup last month, and why I won’t be playing in the China Open or Ho Chi Minh tournaments. I’ve pledged not to join any WPA event this year until the bans are lifted,” said the multi-titled cue artist, representing the new generation of Filipino billiards stars.
The root of Chua’s boycott lies in the WPA’s suspension of several Vietnamese players, following their participation in the Hanoi Open last year, an event not authorized by the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS), a subsidiary of the WPA.
Chua, known for his animated passion and killer instinct on the pool table, expressed that deciding to sit out major tournaments comes at a personal cost.
“As much as I want to win these titles and an individual world championship, I have to sacrifice. This stand is not just for me or to avoid being banned—it’s for the future of the sport, especially for us Asians who are disproportionately affected by these actions. I just want to play, but it feels like I’m the one being played,” he wrote.
Chua emphasized his solidarity with fellow players, reiterating his commitment to the cause.
“I’m not sure how other players feel, but for me, it’s unprofessional to be banned one day, reinstated the next, and then banned again. I’ve lost track of how this even started because it just keeps happening,” he said.
Chua is not alone in his stand. Several top-tier players have voiced their discontent, although some, like Joshua Filler, have since returned to WPA-sanctioned events.
Filler, who initially supported the boycott, went on to win the WPA Men’s World 8-Ball Championship, taking home the $75,000 prize.
Meanwhile, Filipino billiards’ legend Rubilen Amit also made headlines by securing her first World 9-Ball title in the same tournament.
Despite their differing stances on the boycott, Chua and Filler will soon face off in an upcoming event. The two are set to lead their respective teams—Team Asia, captained by Chua, and Team Europe, led by Filler—in the Reyes Cup this October, a prestigious tournament organized by Matchroom in honor of billiards icon Efren “Bata” Reyes.
Chua, in partnership with friend James Aranas, made history last year in Luga, Spain after beating Germany’s Joshua Filler and Moritz Neuhausen, 11-7, to make the Philippines the winningest team in the World Cup of Pool.
Chua’s highest individual honor in a world-rated tournament remains his semifinal appearance at the World Pool Championships in June.
