The Roobet Reyes Cup kicked off on 15 October and fans from around the world are flocking to the Makati Coliseum in Manila to catch a piece of the action.
Named after a Filipino icon and built around a fast-paced team format, the tournament has quickly become one of the most anticipated fixtures on Matchroom’s World Nineball Tour (WNT).
The Reyes Cup was launched in 2024 in partnership with Puyat Sports, and this year’s edition marks the first time that the tournament is sponsored by Roobet, which is offering betting on the tournament available through its sportsbook.
But Roobet is no stranger to the WNT – the iGaming platform was title sponsor of the European Open in Sarajevo in March, where Moritz Neuhausen stormed to victory over Mario He.
The question on everyone’s lips in the Coliseum is whether Team Asia will win a third consecutive title, or whether Team Rest of the World (ROW) will cause an upset in what is set to be a “Thrilla in Manila”.
The legend behind the Reyes Cup
The Roobet Reyes Cup is named after Efren Reyes, also known as “the magician.” For pool fans, Reyes needs little introduction: he is widely regarded as the best player of all time.
The magician was born in Angeles, a small city in the Philippines, but learned the game that shot him to international stardom in his uncle’s pool hall in Manila.
He first made a name for himself outside the Philippines at the 1985 Red Nine-Ball Open in Houston. He went on to enjoy a glittering career, winning numerous tournaments, including the US Open title in 1994, the 1999 World Pool Championship in Cardiff, and the World Cup of Pool in 2006 and 2009, alongside his fellow countryman Francisco Bustamante.
Reyes truly is the greatest to ever do it, and it is only fitting that one of the most exciting events in Nineball bears his name.
How the Roobet Reyes Cup works
Matches are played in a race-to-5 racks format, and the first team to win 11 matches is crowned victorious. Each day begins with a team match involving all five players from each side, followed by a series of singles and doubles matches. The team match is worth one point to the winning side, even though all five players take part.
Asia, fittingly captained by Efren Reyes, won the inaugural edition against Europe. Although Team Europe struck first, winning the first team match, their joy was short-lived. Reyes’ team secured an 11-6 victory, with Singaporean Aloysius Yapp delivering the final blow against Spaniard Francisco Sánchez Ruiz.
Team Asia retained the trophy in 2025, when the opposition expanded to ROW, winning a crushing 11-3 victory.
The 2026 Roobet Reyes Cup: who to watch and what is at stake
No one can be sure who will take home this year’s trophy, but the Coliseum is set for four gladiatorial days of nineball, with glory, honour and prize money all on the line. Ultimately, victory will come down to the players and the guidance of their legendary captains.
The Filipino Francisco Bustamante returns to lead Team Asia after steering them to the 2025 title. Carlo “Black Tiger” Biado, AJ “Starboy” Manas and Duong “The Martian” Quoc Hoang remain from that winning side, while debutants Robbie “The Sniper” Capito and Albert “Giant Killer” Januarta bring fresh firepower.
Duong “The Martian” Quoc Hoang is set to be a major asset for Team Asia. The Vietnamese fan favourite, known for his outlandish chip shots, is returning to the Reyes Cup for the third year in a row.
Speaking to Matchroom, Duong captured the significance of the occasion: “Representing Team Asia at the Reyes Cup for the third time, the feeling remains just as surreal as day one: still thrilled, still emotional, and immensely proud.”
Across the table, the German Ralph Souquet takes charge of Team ROW for the first time. Francisco “El Ferrari” Sánchez Ruiz and Fedor “The Ghost” Gorst return, joined by newcomers Shane “South Dakota Kid” Van Boening, Joshua “The Killer” Filler and Aleksa Pecelj.
With two star-studded teams and a packed Coliseum behind them, the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in Reyes Cup history.
