Johann Chua in action during the World Pool Championship. –MATCHROOM POOL

Fourteen Filipino cue artists led by Carlo Biado, Johann Chua and Lee Van Corteza won their opening matches after two days of the World Pool Championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Biado downed Jan Van Lierop, 9-5, Chua rolled past Mohammed Al-Balkhi, 9-0, and Corteza beat Al Waleed Al-Mudayan, 9-7, to begin their respective title bids in the annual 9-ball competition.

Roland Garcia defeated Niels Feijen, 9-4, Marvin Asis edged David Alcaide, 9-8, Jeffrey Roda prevailed over Fraser Patrick, 9-8, Anton Raga got past Fahad Aldhayan, 9-3, while Bernie Regalado took down Abdullah Alenzi, 9-2.

Patric Gonzales was victorious against Roman Hybler, 9-3, James Aranas beat Wesam Hamamm, 9-4, Michael Baoanan defeated Aleksa Pecelj, 9-5, Jeffrey Ignacio trounced James Georgiadis, 9-6, and AJ Manas downed fellow Filipino Alexis Ferrer, 9-6.

They can all get into the single-elimination phase, where 64 spots are at stake with another victory. They will also have a chance to get in through the loser’s bracket.

Ferrer, Marlon Caneda and Rogelio Sotero lost their first matches in the tourney and are looking to get two wins to make the last 64.

All 17 pool players are looking to give the Philippines its first World Pool title since 2017, when Biado beat Garcia in the final.

Biado, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Ronnie Alcano and Efren “Bata” Reyes are the only Filipinos who have won the prestigious event.