Ouschan bags world 9-ball plum

MANILA, Philippines - After nosing out Canada’s Alex Pagulayan in the semis, Austrian Albin Ouschan completed his ascension to the throne in the WPA World 9-ball Championship with a masterful victory Thursday at Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.

Ouschan disposed Fil-Canadian Pagulayan, 11-4, to set up a titular duel with American Shane van Boening, who edged Taiwanese Cheng Yu Hsuan, 11-9.

Sustaining his fiery charge, the 25-year-old Ouschan demolished Van Boening, 13-6, to hit paydirt after placing second to Neils Feijen two years ago and became a world champ like her older sister, Jasmin.

“I always wanted to show people who I am. When I was younger I didn’t even have a name.  People always said ‘you’re Jasmin’s brother.’  I think I left her shadow two years ago when I was runner-up here,” Ouschan said.

Apart from ousting the Pinoy who’s now representing Canada, the newly minted champ had booted out Phl’s Jeffrey Ignacio earlier in the Round-of-64.