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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Manas yields to Sanchez Ruiz in Last 16 of Florida Open

Manas yields to Sanchez Ruiz in Last 16 of Florida Open

Published Aug 10, 2026 08:58 am

At A Glance

  • AJ Manas almost pulled an improbable comeback before losing steam in the crunch time to absorb a 9-10 loss to Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain in the Last 16 of the 2026 Florida 9-Ball Open at the Caribe Royale in Orlando over the weekend.
AJ Manas (Taka Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport)
AJ Manas (Taka Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport)
AJ Manas almost pulled an improbable comeback before losing steam in the crunch time to absorb a 9-10 loss to Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain in the Last 16 of the 2026 Florida 9-Ball Open at the Caribe Royale in Orlando over the weekend.
After battling back from a 0-4 hole and turning a 3-5 deficit into a commanding 9-5 lead by winning the next six racks, the 19-year-old Filipino missed on the No. 3 and No. 5 balls in the 15th rack that proved crucial in allowing Ruiz to mount a comeback.
The sequence was followed by Ruiz sweeping the following four games to force a hill-hill showdown, where the 34-year-old Spaniard displayed veteran poise and made sure his each possession counts to take advantage of every missed chance by Manas.
Despite the setback, it was still an impressive finish for the Reyes Cup MVP after becoming the best Filipino finisher among the seven-player PH contingent in the annual competition where he is set to pocket a consolation prize of $4,000 (P242,820).
Prior to his exit, Manas hacked out a 10-3 victory over veteran Jayson Shaw of Great Britain in the Round of 32. He also toppled Austrian Max Lechner, 10-4, in the Round of 64, that came after his dominant knockout stage opener over American Gage Smith, 10-0.
The promising cue artist dispatched Ricky Isaac of Trinidad and Tobago (9-3) and Pascal Dufresne of Canada (9-2) in the first stage.
Meanwhile, Ruiz fell short soon after to eventual semifinalist American Shane van Boening, 10-6, in the quarters.
Van Boening arranged a semis showdown against Albanian Eklen Kaci, while Greek Alex Kazakis faces Venezuelan Jesus Atencio.

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AJ Manas Carlo Biado Florida Open Francisco Sanchez Ruiz
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