Unheralded Anton Raga breaks through with runner-up finish at European Open Pool

The Philippines’ Anton Raga, right, with opponent David Alcaide in the final of the European Open Pool Championship in Germany. Photo from Matchroom Pool

MANILA, Philippines-Unheralded Anton Raga settled for a runner-up finish in the European Open Pool Championship after a 13-12 loss to Spain’s David Alcaide in Sunday’s final held at Hotel Esparando in Fulda, Germany.

Raga was four balls away from taking the title of the world-ranking event when he rattled the green-colored six on the side pocket, allowing Alcaide to avoid the upset and claim the top purse of $30,000.

The 25-year-old native of Cebu City, however, won’t be going empty-handed as he earned $15,000 (P854,430) after the best finish of his pool career.

No one expected Raga to come in and pull off a Cinderella run, especially after a 9-8 defeat to Konrad Juszczysyzn sent him to the loser’s bracket.

David Alcaide – this is your moment!

What an incredible final played out between two extraordinary players

🐂🇪🇸🏆#EuropeanOpenPool 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/x4BryJi9UM

— Matchroom Pool (@MatchroomPool) August 13, 2023

But Raga persevered and defeated Ingo Lamberti (8-0), Besar Spahiu (8-4) and favored Dutch cue artist Niels Feijen (9-3) to barge into the round-of-64, joining recent World Cup of Pool winner and compatriot.

While Chua eventually bowed out in the last 32, Raga kept himself in the thick of the title race by eliminating Mateusz Sniegocki (10-8) and fancied Taiwanese Ko Pin Yi (10-0), Canadian John Morra (10-4) and Wojciech Szewczyk (10-7).

The semifinals saw Raga prevailing Germany’s Joshua Filler, 11-9, to set up a race-to-13 finale with Alcaide, who in the other pairing took an 11-7 win over American Shane Van Boening.

Only Raga, Chua and the latter’s World Cup of Pool partner James Aranas represented the Philippines in the week-long nine-ball tournament.