Team Asia drew with Team Rest of the World, 2-all, but still got crowned 2025 Reyes Cup champion on Sunday evening.
Led by AJ “Starboy” Manas, who was crowned MVP, Team Asia took the title for the second year in a row, with a total scoreline of 11-3, after four days of action,at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
“Being crowned MVP feels unreal, it’s honestly a dream come true. I’m so proud to have helped Team Asia defend the Reyes Cup,” said the 18-year old Manas.
In the final game of the day, match 14, reigning world champion Carlo Biado and Manas came out dominant with 5-2 stopping of World Nineball Tour no. 1 Fedor Gorst and Moritz.
In Match 14, Biado and Manas were composed and clinical in their approach and were in full control of the contest.
Earlier, Team Asia took the early lead in the Match 11 first singles, off Singaporean Aloysius Yapp’s 5-1 rout of Jayson Shaw, and the clash between last year’s Reyes Cup MVP (Yapp) and the reigning Mosconi Cup MVP (Shaw).
Shaw and Skyler Woodward took a 5-2 triumph over Team Asia’s Yapp and Duong Quoc Hoang in Match 12, after Team ROW finally found their rhythm.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this team. Every player gave their heart, and AJ proved he was the right choice. The kid is something special,” said Team Asia skipper Django Bustamante.
Team ROW also took Match 13, for a 2-1 lead in Day 4, off Spanish ace Francisco Sanchez Ruiz’s 5-3 edging of Johann Chua.
Chua race to a 3–0 lead, before Ruiz fought back, taking control through strong safety plays, to reach the top.
“We showed the world that Asia can’t be stopped. Carrying on Efren’s legacy with another win here in Manila means everything to me and the team,” said Bustamante.
On Saturday, Team Asia took a 9-1 lead off their 2-1 triumph in Day 3 over Team ROW.
