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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Reyes Cup: Team Asia blanks World for strong start in title defense bid

Reyes Cup: Team Asia blanks World for strong start in title defense bid

Published Oct 17, 2025 02:10 pm

At A Glance

  • Team Asia got off to a rousing start and seized an early 4-0 lead against Team Rest of the World (ROW) to strengthen its title defense bid in the 2025 Reyes Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila Thursday, Oct. 16.
(Taka Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport)
(Taka Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport)
Team Asia got off to a rousing start and seized an early 4-0 lead against Team Rest of the World (ROW) to strengthen its title defense bid in the 2025 Reyes Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila Thursday, Oct. 16.
With rising star AJ Manas showing much composure in his debut, the Asian squad put on a show in four matches which was capped by Johann Chua and Vietnam’s Duong Quoc Hoang’s thrilling 5-4 win over Americans and world No. 1 Fedor Gorst and Skyler Woodward in the doubles event.
The sweep put the Django Bustamante-led crew ahead of their race-to-11 showpiece that will resume Friday, Oct. 17, at the same venue.
For Manas, who impressed with Singaporean Aloysius Yapp in their 5-2 demolition of Scottish Jayson Shaw and Spaniard Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, he is embracing the challenge to prove he was a worthy pick for Bustamante.
“I feel so happy, it’s an incredible feeling. I was nervous coming into today, but I’m surrounded by such a great team who’ve supported me all the way,” said Manas.
“We had a strong start, but now it’s time to refocus for tomorrow. I want to prove that Django choosing me was the right decision. I’m here to show I belong at this level and represent Asia with pride,” he added.
Yapp, a decorated player himself, gave the 19-year-old Manas his flowers for showing his potential in front of his hometown fans.
“Honestly, I felt like AJ carried me in that match. We knew we were up against a pair with a lot of experience, but AJ showed maturity beyond his years,” said Yapp. “He proved today that experience doesn’t always decide the result, what a debut from him.”
Apart from their twin victories in doubles events, Team Asia ignited the opening night with Biado and Hoang showing the light and gave ROW a 5-1 beatdown in the team category.
In the singles match, Biado, the recent nine-ball world champ, wasted no time as he stamped his class and toppled German debutant Moritz Neuhasen, 5-3.
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