Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes to lead Team Asia in inaugural ‘Reyes Cup’ | ABS-CBN
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Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes to lead Team Asia in inaugural ‘Reyes Cup’
Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes to lead Team Asia in inaugural ‘Reyes Cup’
Nicole Agcaoili,
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 14, 2024 12:51 AM PHT
MANILA – Philippine billiards legend Efren “Bata Reyes” will lead Team Asia at the inaugural Reyes Cup from October 15 to 18 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
MANILA – Philippine billiards legend Efren “Bata Reyes” will lead Team Asia at the inaugural Reyes Cup from October 15 to 18 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Reyes Cup” is a tournament named after the Filipino pool icon in partnership with Puyat Sports.
“Reyes Cup” is a tournament named after the Filipino pool icon in partnership with Puyat Sports.
Team Asia will consist of three top players from the World 9-Ball Rankings and two additional wildcards yet to be chosen by Reyes.
Team Asia will consist of three top players from the World 9-Ball Rankings and two additional wildcards yet to be chosen by Reyes.
The Team will be represented by Singapore pool sensation Aloysius Yap, Filipino World Champion Johann Chua, and Taiwanese professional player Ko Pin Yi.
The Team will be represented by Singapore pool sensation Aloysius Yap, Filipino World Champion Johann Chua, and Taiwanese professional player Ko Pin Yi.
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Meanwhile, Reyes, known as “The Magician” will serve as Team Asia’s team captain.
Meanwhile, Reyes, known as “The Magician” will serve as Team Asia’s team captain.
At the tournament's press conference held on Friday, Reyes expressed confidence that with the help of players from Singapore, Taipei, and the Philippines, the team will secure victory.
At the tournament's press conference held on Friday, Reyes expressed confidence that with the help of players from Singapore, Taipei, and the Philippines, the team will secure victory.
“Ang daming magagaling ngayon, ‘yung team Europe pero tingin ko may panalo ang Team Asia. Kaya lang ang nangyari ngayon hindi ako pwede ngayon dahil matanda na ako ngayon eh. Pero kung dati pa pwede pa.,” he said.
“Ang daming magagaling ngayon, ‘yung team Europe pero tingin ko may panalo ang Team Asia. Kaya lang ang nangyari ngayon hindi ako pwede ngayon dahil matanda na ako ngayon eh. Pero kung dati pa pwede pa.,” he said.
“Kaya pumili kami ng mga magagaling na team natin dito sa Asia, kung saan-saan dito. Merong Singapore, Taipei, Philippines kaya pwede maipanalo,” he added.
“Kaya pumili kami ng mga magagaling na team natin dito sa Asia, kung saan-saan dito. Merong Singapore, Taipei, Philippines kaya pwede maipanalo,” he added.
“Team Captain ako. Tutulungan ko naman sila eh. At saka maglalaro din ako, makakalaban ko itong nasa kaliwa ko,” he said referring to Team Europe’s captain Karl Boyes.
“Team Captain ako. Tutulungan ko naman sila eh. At saka maglalaro din ako, makakalaban ko itong nasa kaliwa ko,” he said referring to Team Europe’s captain Karl Boyes.
Team Asia is scheduled to compete against Team Europe, which includes German pool player Joshua Filler, Albanian star Eklan Katsi, and European champion Mickey Cross from Denmark.
Team Asia is scheduled to compete against Team Europe, which includes German pool player Joshua Filler, Albanian star Eklan Katsi, and European champion Mickey Cross from Denmark.
Another billiard icon Boyes said the upcoming tournament is such a “special moment,” recalling his time in the Philippines.
Another billiard icon Boyes said the upcoming tournament is such a “special moment,” recalling his time in the Philippines.
“I’ve been to the Philippines many times and my nine-ball journey, my career started in the Philippines in 2007, many moons ago when it was Matchroom’s last World pool Championship up until recently. So I know what the Filipinos will bring. I know they love their nine-ball and they’re so passionate,” he said.
“I’ve been to the Philippines many times and my nine-ball journey, my career started in the Philippines in 2007, many moons ago when it was Matchroom’s last World pool Championship up until recently. So I know what the Filipinos will bring. I know they love their nine-ball and they’re so passionate,” he said.
Boyes said he wants to savor every moment of the preparations leading up to the tournament, knowing how quickly time flies.
Boyes said he wants to savor every moment of the preparations leading up to the tournament, knowing how quickly time flies.
“So walking down, I think I just want to look around and take it all, and think [that] wow I’m the captain of the inaugural Reyes cup so it’s going to be a special moment,” he said.
“So walking down, I think I just want to look around and take it all, and think [that] wow I’m the captain of the inaugural Reyes cup so it’s going to be a special moment,” he said.
Present also at the event was Emily Frazer, CEO of Matchroom Multi Sport, who expressed excitement over the tournament.
Present also at the event was Emily Frazer, CEO of Matchroom Multi Sport, who expressed excitement over the tournament.
“So setting up a tournament like the Reyes Cup gives so much opportunity and so much hope to the players in Asia to qualify for a tournament like this where there is guaranteed prize money to just get onto the team. You’ve already those three names already,” Frazer said referring to Team Asia.
“So setting up a tournament like the Reyes Cup gives so much opportunity and so much hope to the players in Asia to qualify for a tournament like this where there is guaranteed prize money to just get onto the team. You’ve already those three names already,” Frazer said referring to Team Asia.
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