Reyes Cup 2026: Team Asia Chases a Three-Peat in Manila

The Reyes Cup opens Wednesday in Manila, and once again the question is whether anyone can stop Team Asia.

The third edition of the team competition named for Efren "Bata" Reyes runs October 15-18 at Makati Coliseum, part of the World Nineball Tour's Southeast Asia swing. Asia has won both previous editions - beating Europe 11-6 in the 2024 inaugural and overwhelming the Rest of the World 11-3 last year.

The teams

Francisco "Django" Bustamante returns as Asia's captain, chasing a third consecutive title on home soil. His five-man roster is built around reigning world champion and world No. 1 Carlo Biado, joined by 2025 MVP AJ Manas, Robbie Capito, Duong Quoc Hoang and Albert Januarta.

Team Rest of the World answers with first-time captain Ralf Souquet and a roster anchored by six-time Mosconi Cup champion Joshua Filler - making his Reyes Cup debut - alongside American star Shane Van Boening, Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, Fedor Gorst and Aleksa Pecelj.

What the captains and organizers are saying

"Both captains have put together outstanding teams," Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer said in the tour's announcement. "Every player has earned their place through their performances this year, and with so much on the line for both sides, we're expecting an incredible four days of nineball in Manila."

How to watch

The four-day event is shown live on WNT TV in available territories and through the tour's international broadcast partners. Tickets are on sale through the venue.

What comes next

The Manila stay does not end with the cup. The World Nineball Tour moves to Gateway Mall in Quezon City for the Philippines Open Pool Championship, October 20-24, where David Alcaide defends the inaugural title.

Sources: World Nineball Tour event pages and announcements, Wikipedia.