Jefrey Roda clinched the 3rd Universal Chinese Taipei Open crown in Taipei last Wednesday after a 13-11 win over home bet Ko Pin Yi.

The 24-year-old Roda pocketed $20,000 (P1.1 million) for the victory.

During the finals, Roda initially trailed Taiwan’s Ko Pin Yi, 11-8 before making the comeback and beating his rival 13-11.

Roda expressed his happiness on social media after his win.

“Champion at the 3rd Universal Chinese Taipei Open! Words cannot express the overwhelming joy and gratitude I feel at this moment. For years, I have dreamed of becoming a champion, and through relentless effort, unwavering dedication, and countless sacrifices, that dream has finally come true,” Roda said.

“The journey was never easy — it was filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt — but I always believed that with perseverance, faith, and hard work, this day would come.”

Roda’s road to the top was anything but easy.

First, he had to beat teammate Johann Chua, 11-3 in the quarterfinal before taking down two-time world champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain 11-2 in the semifinal.

Roda improved to No. 44 in the World Nineball Tour rankings after this win.

Meanwhile, Rubilen Amit and Chezka Centeno are in the Round of 16 of the Asian 10-Ball Open in Doha.

Amit defeated Ranna Nasserddine of Lebanon, 5-0 and Anra Yu of Singapore, 5-2 in the elimination round.

For Centeno, she defeated former World 10-Ball titlist, beat Harin Lee of Korea, 5-3 and Xiaofang Fu of China, 5-1.

Amit will be going up against Annabel Putri Yohanna of Indonesia while Centeno will have a rematch with Lee.