Team Asia once again proved its dominance on the global billiards stage after successfully defending its crown at the 2025 Reyes Cup with a commanding 11–3 victory over Team Rest of the World on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The defending champions entered the final day with a 9–1 lead and wasted no time sealing the series. Aloysius Yapp opened the day with a 5–1 win over Jayson Shaw, before World 9-Ball Champion Carlo Biado and 18-year-old AJ “Starboy” Manas secured the championship in the fourth match with a 5–2 triumph over Fedor Gorst and Moritz Neuhausen.
According to Biado, he only reminded his young teammate to play his natural game and to ask for guidance whenever necessary.
“Ang sabi ko sa kanya, basta ilaro mo lang 'yung laro mo tapos kapag hindi mo alam yung itra, magtanong ka sakin. Hindi ko naman na siya kailangang turuan dahil magaling yung shooting niya, pocketing, at magaling siyang magdala cue ball. Ang kailangan na lang niya ay yung diskarte,” said Biado.
Manas, who was later named the Cuetec Most Valuable Player for his impressive debut, said being crowned MVP and helping Team Asia defend its title felt like a dream come true.
“This is my biggest achievement so far kasi hindi naman ako nakakalaro ng ganitong events, first time kong maglaro tapos ayon, nakuha ko yung MVP. Di ako makapaniwala,” said Manas. “Sa tingin ko rin naman maganda yung naging desisyon ni Coach Django, nagpapasalamat din ako sa kanya kasi ang laki ng tiwala na binigay niya sa akin. So, yung pressure nasa akin, kailangan ko lang pag-igihan ang pag-igihan.”
Biado also expressed his pride in the team’s performance, saying the final nine-ball symbolized the hard work of the entire group. He also praised Manas for playing with the composure of a veteran.
“Relax lang kami ni AJ kasi sabi ko di na kami aabot na maglalaro, pero nung natalo si Allosius at Johann, hindi ko in-expect na hahabol ang Team Rest of The World,” Biado shared. “Hay nako, malayo pa ang mararating ng bata kasi ako nag-world champion ako noong 35 ako, tapos siya 18 years old, ang haba ng karera niya, hindi magtatagal, magwo-world champion siya, siguro mga 2 to 3 years from now.”
Team captain Francisco “Django” Bustamante also lauded the group’s discipline and heart, as well as the promising performance of the young cue artist.
“Syempre malaking to para kay AJ, kasi parang nakikita ko yung sarili ko sa kanya, na talagang pursigidong gumaling, basta hintayin lang natin, marami siyang mararating na champion,” said Bustamante.
The team, composed of Biado, Yapp, Manas, Johann Chua, and Duong Quoc Hoang, combined the experience of seasoned players and the energy of new talents to once again showcase Asia’s strength in the sport.
“Syempre, sobrang proud po ako na na-defend ulit natin yung title and happy po tayong lahat. Feel ko ngayon mas settled ako ngayon, kasi last year naging pabigat ako sa team, binuhat nila ako, wala akong naiambag kahit papaano. Pero this year, kahit natalo ako sa singles game, nakatulong naman ako sa doubles teams event namin and sobrang happy kami na na-defend namin yung title,” said Chua.
This year’s triumph follows their 11–6 victory in last year’s inaugural edition of the Reyes Cup, once again proving Asia’s reputation as a powerhouse in the world of billiards.
