Bangkok: Filipino Pool Player Roland Garcia won the first ever Joy Thailand Chinese 8 Ball Masters after defeating England’s Stuart Pettman by 7 racks to 5 in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Bangkok’s Show DC Mall on Rama 9.
The Joy Thailand Chinese 8 Ball Masters event, set to be the first ever taking place in the Kingdom was organized by Thailand Pool Tables between June 14th & 16th at Bangkok’s Show DC Complex. The three days tournament saw a field of over 60 players from all over the world including former 9 Ball World Champion Mika Immonen, Thai Prodigy Phaa, Finnish rising sensation Kim Laksonnen as well as a Filipino squad of three players led by Roland Garcia.
From Left to Right : Kim Laksonnen from Finland - Referee Vitoon from Thailand - Former 9 Ball World Champion Mika Immonen from Finland
With a sponsored trip to China to play at the final event on the table for the winner, needless to say that every player had high hopes to make it through to the finals and be on top of their game. Group stages, held during the first two days of the tournament, gave good indications as to who could potentially come out on top given the fact that it was a completely new game and table for most contestants. While most players needed some time to take the measure of the table, some players like Stuart Pettman, representing Hustlers Pool Hall Bangkok, were immediately at ease and set the tone with some crafty break and runs sending a strong statement to the opposition.
Stuart Pettman - Former no.35 ranked professional snooker player
The knockout stage on the final day of the event offered mouthwatering confrontations earlier on with a clash of the generation between the two Finnish compatriots Mika Immonen, former World Champion, and Kim Laksonnen, the young promising talent, that saw Kim advancing to the next round. The battle of the rising stars between Phaa, former Thailand 9 Ball Champion, and Jonas Magpantay, the Filipino Champion, did not disappoint either and had Phaa claiming the win to advance to the quarter finals and face one of the tournament’s favorite, Stuart Pettman.
Meanwhile, the battle for a spot in the semi finals between Buphinder Monga and Roland Garcia, Predator Cues Professional Player, offered a thrilling match with a great opposition of styles that saw the Filipino clawing his way back from 2 racks down to clinch a precious victory and keep his hopes of lifting the trophy alive.
Buphinder Monga from Thailand Pool Tables Team, better known as “Monto” said shortly after his match: “It’s a great success so far, everyone’s feedback has been very positive and encouraging. Players are very excited to compete as such level and happy about the experience.”
Phaa Hmaunpao - Thailand 2018 Women 9 Ball Champion
While the semi finals were formalities for the two tournament’s favorite, the final stage was set and had Roland Garcia from The Philippines facing Stuart Pettman from England, two of the best players in Thailand being cheered by an enthusiastic crowd. During the opening racks of the match, both players exhibited tremendous skills and high level of focus making it difficult to tell who would come out victorious. As we were heading towards the final racks, the pressure mounted and Roland Garcia managed to capitalize on a rare mistake from his opponent and took the lead at 6 racks to 5, he then broke and run what would end up being the last rack of the Tournament and claimed the first ever Joy Thailand Chinese 8 Ball Masters Title, he will be taking part at the final event in China starting from June 28th, 2019.
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