The 2024 RASSON Lushan Open, a landmark event as the first World Nineball Tour Ranking tournament in mainland China, concluded with a thrilling victory for the Chinese Taipei star Ko Pin Yi.
Ko's path to the title was anything but straightforward, as he faced the Filipino cueist Jeffrey Roda in a tense finale. The match, a race to 13 racks, culminated in a nail-biting finish with Ko narrowly surpassing Roda hill-hill.
Throughout the finale, both players exchanged racks, but it was Roda who first reached the hill, leading 12-11 and putting him just one rack away from victory. However, Roda’s attempt at a safety shot on the 2 ball proved costly, allowing Ko to seize the opportunity with a stunning long jump shot to pot and set up a clearance of the table.
With the score tied at 12-12, Ko Pin Yi demonstrated composure under pressure, clearing the table in the final rack to secure his triumph at the first Lushan Open. This victory not only earned Ko the title but also $15,000 in ranking points.
Ko Pin Yi has now risen two spaces up to 13th on the World Nineball Tour rankings.
The step up in the rankings brings Ko closer to qualifying for the upcoming Reyes Cup, where Team Asia will face the 2023 Mosconi Cup winners, Team Europe.
With Aloysius Yapp having confirmed his spot following June's World Pool Championship in Saudi Arabia, the next qualification spot will be determined next week in Fulda, Germany at the European Open Championship. Fans can purchase their tickets here.
Despite the narrow loss, Jeffrey Roda, along with semi-finalists Carlo Biado, and Moritz Neuhausen, gained valuable ranking points for their efforts in the tournament.
As the season progresses and the players eye the coveted spots in the Reyes Cup and Mosconi Cup, events like the 2024 RASSON Lushan Open are crucial in shaping not only the WNT but the landscape of international pool.
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