By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipino pool player Jefrey Roda captured a milestone in his uprising professional career after bagging the recently concluded Universal Chinese Taipei Open on December 18, 2024, held at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei City, Taiwan.
Roda clinched the prestigious golden trophy after pulling off a come-from-behind victory over world no. 13 ranked pool player Ko Pin Yi, 13-11, to end his 2024 professional tournament calendar with a bang.
The courageous Filipino displayed nerves of steel after being down 8-11, and staged a comeback for the ages when he hosted a stunning 5-0 run highlighted by his on-point defensive game and slick angles to bank much-needed scores.
Everyone was all eyes on Ko after having the chance to increase his lead to 8-12, until disaster struck when he missed a line-drive shot in the two-ball which was headed for the bottom left hole.
After that sequence, Roda didn’t let his ultimate chance slip away and showcased his vicious strokes after cleaning up the table to pull within two racks, 9-11.
Roda continued his momentum and shocked Ko with another table cleanup in the 21st rack, thanks to a miscue from the world no. 13 ranked player when he overshot a defensive cover in the two-ball.
With the affair turning into a thrilling nip-and-tuck match, Roda smelled blood in the next rack when he didn’t let Ko score two consecutive balls with his crucial defense, hiding the four-ball in the corner side of the right pocket.
Roda officially equalized the match at 11-all, and didn’t look back after going back to the driver’s seat with a demolition exhibition in the 23rd rack.
In the championship rack, Roda frustrated Ko’s supporters who came in attendance after scoring a golden break when the nine-ball kissed the rolling cue ball in the second bounce.
When Roda noticed the nine ball rolling slowly to the upper-left pocket, the Filipino pride began to shout and jump in joy, leaving Ko in disbelief when he failed to add a score in the most important match of the tournament.
Aside from Roda, the Filipino delegation led by Marvin Asis, Johann Chua, Bernie Regalario, Albert James Manas, Patric Gonzales, James Aranas, and Michael Baoanan also brought pride when they all qualified in the Round of 16 of the tournament.
