MANILA, Philippines — Filipino cue artist Jeffrey Roda displayed steely nerves but wilted on the stretch where it mattered most and settled for the silver medal in the 2019 International Billiards & Snooker Federation World Men’s Championships on Saturday, 09 November 2018, in Antalya, Turkey.

The 19-year old Roda was ousted by eventual two-time titlist Mohammad Asif of Pakistan, 5 racks to 8 in the finals to end up with a runner up finish.

But the runner-up silver finish proved to be a golden one as this is the very first time the country ever won a medal in the World Snooker Championship in 27 long years.

It can be recalled that the Philippines last won a medal in the 1992 edition of the said meet held in Malta courtesy of the late Leonardo `Dodong’ Andam.

The 1991 and 2005 SEA Games snooker gold medalist Andam, bowed to England’s Neil Mosley, 5-11, for the silver medal.

This major triumph serves as a big morale boost for the youngest member of the Philippine National Snooker Team as he is set to compete in the Men’s Singles event of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, alongside Alvin Barbero.

Meantime, Barbero, Michael Mengorio and Basil Alshajjar all failed to make it to the succeeding rounds. (Lloyd Tagbago/IAMIGO/CNS)