Bacolod native Johann Chua and Jeffrey De Luna emerged as the top qualifiers in the San Miguel Philippine 9-ball Open Baguio leg Sunday.

The 17-year-old Chua, the 2006 Philippine Olympic Festival runner-up, nipped Alexander Gallero (7-5), Renemar David (7-4), Chinese Lee Chen Man (7-4), and Jimmy Cheng (7-6) to gain a slot in the national finals slated Sept. 14-16. De Luna also made it to the national finals with wins over Patrick Gonzales (7-5), Roland Garcia (7-2), Joven Bustamante (7-6), and Jayjay Millares (7-6).

Bustamante and Millares advanced after surviving the losers' bracket. Bustamante beat Cheng (7-3), while Millares edged Roberto Dy (7-6) e. Failing to make the grade were Ramil Gallego, who also hails from Bacolod, Negros Billiard Stable players Warren Kiamco and Troy Danao, John Rebong, national women's team members Rubilen Amit, Irish Ranola and Mary Ann Basas.

Another Bacoleño, Eduardo Villanueva already secured a spot in the national finals after topping the Bacolod leg two weeks ago. Also assured of slots in the national finals are defending champion Francisco Bustamante, Leonardo Didal, Mike Takayama, Carlo Biado, Ronato Alcano, Marlon Manalo, Lee Vann Corteza, Efren Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Jose Parica.*CPT

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