MANILA, Philippines — Jefrey Roda became the first in the 15 Filipino cue artists at the ongoing US Open to advance to the 9-ball tournament’s knockout phase.
Roda entered the last 64 after chalking up his third win in as many rounds, defeating American Lukas Fracasso-Verner, 9-6, at the Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City in New Jersey Wednesday morning in Manila.
The 25-year-old opened his campaign with a 9-3 win over Vietnamese Nguyen Hoang Tuan, 9-3, before topping American Paul Song, 9-1.
Roda, Universal Chinese Taipei Open last December, awaits his opponent in the knockout phase of the 256-player field.
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Meanwhile, two-time reigning 9-ball world champion Carlo Biado moved one win away from joining Roda in the last 64 of the tourney, which offers a P5.7 million prize for the winner.
Biado, one of the top Philippine players in the competition, stopped Boris Ivanovski, 9-6, Wednesday midnight.
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The 41-year-old Biado, who defeated Canadian Jason Munro, 9-1 in the opener, faces Luong Duc Thien in the third round on Wednesday night.
Johann Chua is likewise one win away from entering the final 64, having chalked up two wins already.
Chua edged American Floro Ritarita, 9-5, in the first round and Dutch Quinten Pongers, 9-7, in the second.
The 32-year-old Chua battles compatriot Roland Garcia in the third round early Thursday in Manila.
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The other Filipinos who entered the winners’ third round were Michael Baoanan, Bernie Regalario, Marvin Asis, Lee Van Corteza, Roberto Gomez, and Baseth Mocaibat.
Baoanan, Corteza, and Mocaibat, however, fell to their respective foes to drop to the losers’ bracket, where they each have to win a knockout game to enter the last 64.
Regalario, Asis, and Gomez have yet to play in their round matches as of posting time.
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