Taiwanese reigns in US Open 9-Ball

MANILA, Philippines - With Filipinos falling by the wayside, Taiwanese Cheng Yu-Hsuan took the cudgels for Asian cue masters and ruled the 40th US Open 9-Ball Championship Friday night at Sheraton Waterside in Norfolk, Virginia (yesterday morning in Manila).

Cheng went on an undefeated run throughout the double-elimination event, outclassing fellow undefeated British Karl Boyes in the sixth round of the winners’ bracket, 11-4, to reach the hot seat.

Boyes, however, bounced back with an 11-9 disposal of Chinese Liu Haito in the losers’ side to get another crack at the title against the waiting Cheng.

In the end, the Taiwanese prevailed, 13-6, to cop the diadem and the $40,000 champion’s purse. Boyes settled for $20,000 and Liu $10,000.

Eight Filipinos vied for the prestigious plum that was won by Efren “Bata” Reyes in 1994.