The Philippines boasts 7 players in the round of 16 at this year's World 9-Ball Championship, compared to three in the previous tournament. Among them, Patric Gonzales advanced after defeating Eklent Kaci 11-6.

Following the match, Kaci posted on Facebook, "I lost to one of the 30 Filipino players at the tournament, in the round of 16. The cue ball was really strange, rolling all over the place. I think it was over-lubricated. Anyone caught doing this should be banned long enough for their gloves, towels, or whatever they use to dry.".

Filipino player Jeffrey Ignacio during his victory over Aloysius Yapp in the round of 16 of the World 9-Ball Championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 24/7/2025. Photo: *Matchroom*

The 26-year-old Albanian, a two-time World 10-Ball Champion (2021 and 2023), alluded to a common tactic in gambling matches. A player applies a lubricant to their glove or towel and then discreetly transfers it to the cue ball. This can cause an opponent's shots to go awry, while the cheater, accustomed to the slick surface, remains unaffected. While unregulated in gambling, this practice is prohibited at the World 9-Ball Championship.

"In my previous three matches, the cue ball rolled normally," Kaci added. "But from the middle of the match against Gonzales, the table and the balls became harder to control. I overshot many shots, and the cue ball often ended up in unexpected positions. Maybe I played poorly, or maybe Gonzales was just better. But if there was an issue with the cue ball, I want the organizers to take this matter seriously. Similar situations have occurred in many tournaments without any penalties being issued.".

Kaci isn't alone in his suspicions. World number two Aloysius Yapp also posted a cryptic message on social media after his 10-11 loss to Filipino player Jeffrey Ignacio in the round of 32: "Lubricant or not?".

Aloysius Yapp (right) and Ignacio (left). Photo: *Matchroom*

The 29-year-old reigning UK Open champion later apologized for any offense caused by his earlier post, but added, "We, the players, are requesting the authorities to investigate. We will accept whatever the verdict is.".

Yapp argued that the cue ball shouldn't become slicker over the course of 21 racks, especially with the referee's sweaty hands and the humidity in the room. "It was really strange. Maybe someone applied lubricant to their gloves, maybe a spray or a cream," he speculated. "I've tried one, a gray one, but I don't use that glove in tournaments.".

While accepting responsibility for his loss, the Singaporean player believes Filipino players are skilled enough not to resort to such tactics. "I just want a fair match," Yapp stated. "But I'll practice with a slippery cue ball just in case, for future tournaments.".

Vietnam has no remaining representatives in the quarterfinals. Of the four Vietnamese players who reached the knockout stage, two were eliminated by Filipino opponents: Bui Truong An lost to Marvin Asis 10-11 in the round of 32, and Duong Quoc Hoang fell to Jefrey Roda by the same score in the round of 16.

Despite the close loss, Quoc Hoang maintained that his match against Roda was "fair and transparent". "I lost not because of anything underhanded, but because of my own shortcomings: I was too perfectionistic and tense, and I paid the price," Vietnam's top player wrote on his personal page.

After the matches on the evening of 25/7, the quarterfinal matchups are set: Fedor Gorst vs. Roda, Ameer Ali vs. Kledio Kaci, Francisco Sanchez Ruiz vs. Bernie Regalario, and Ko Ping Chung vs. Carlo Biado.

Xuan Binh