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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Reyes Cup: 'Starboy' Manas shines as Team Asia dominates World to take 7-0 lead

Reyes Cup: 'Starboy' Manas shines as Team Asia dominates World to take 7-0 lead

Published Oct 18, 2025 09:25 am

At A Glance

  • AJ Manas proved everyone why he deserved a spot with Team Asia after he stunned world No. 1 Fedor Gorst of the US in the 2025 Reyes Cup on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
AJ Manas makes his presence felt with a stunning win over ROW's and world No. 1 Fedor Gorst. (Taka Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport)
AJ Manas makes his presence felt with a stunning win over ROW's and world No. 1 Fedor Gorst. (Taka Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport)
AJ Manas proved everyone why he deserved a spot with Team Asia after he stunned world No. 1 Fedor Gorst of the US in the 2025 Reyes Cup on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Making sure he gets the applause from non-playing team captain Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Manas scored a 5-4 escape over Gorst as the Asian players mounted a 7-0 lead in the race-to-11 tournament created to honor billiards icon Efren "Bata" Reyes.
Manas nearly blew a 4-2 lead as the two-time world champion forced a decider, but the Filipino prodigy steadied himself and took advantage of a crucial error from Gorst, who accidentally touched the seven ball when he was shooting for the six.
The crowd started to rejoice soon after the miscue, with Manas swiftly burying the last four balls and denying Gorst's comeback attempt in the ninth rack.
“It feels unbelievable. Last year I was watching the Reyes Cup wishing I could be part of Team Asia, now I’m living that dream,” Manas told Matchroom Pool.
“To get a win over World Number One, someone I really look up to, is crazy. I’m proud, but I’m not done yet. I want to help Asia finish this the right way,” he added.
The evening was wrapped up by Manas and Johann Chua's convincing 5-2 doubles triumph over Gorst and Jayson Shaw to keep their record unblemished in the four-day long cuefest.
“I’m so proud of Team Asia. We didn’t expect to be this dominant, but everyone’s playing with heart,” said Chua. “AJ’s been unbelievable, youngest on the team but leading like a veteran. People said he wasn’t ready; well, he’s proving them wrong.”
The competition gets going on Saturday, Oct. 18.

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