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| AJ Manas congratulates fellow Filipino Rommel Santos after the latter pulled off a 10-9 shocker. Matchroom Pool |
MANILA—Two members of Team Asia's 2026 Reyes Cup team kissed their redemption arc goodbye on Day 1 of the Philippines Open Pool at the Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview in Quezon City.
Team captain Django Bustamante was first sent home after getting blanked by compatriot Rodrigo Geronimo 0-10.
AJ Manas, the 2025 MVP, but was seen among those who struggled this year, then lost a hill-hill battle against another Filipino contender, Rommel Santos, 10-9.
The other four members of Team Asia, Albert Januarta, Duong Quoc Hoang, Robbie Capito, and Carlo Biado, clinched spots in the Round of 64.
Duong, Capito, and Biado all swept their respective opponents, while Januarta took down Japanese foe Yuki Komiya in 13 racks.
Meanwhile, Aloysius Yapp and Johann Chua, two notable absences for Team Asia this year, began their road to make it back to the Reyes Cup with impressive wins.
Yapp, Singapore's top billiard ace, best American opponent Raphael Dabreo 10-2.
On the other hand, Chua, one of today's Filipino superstars, eliminated another American, Tony Piazza, by a 10-1 gentleman's sweep.
David Alcaide began his search for back-to-back Philippines Open crowns with a 10-1 win against Rodlin Bautista.
The biggest shocker came from Filipino upstart Meynard Tipawan, who sent 2025 Hanoi Open runner-up Moritz Neuhausen home with a 10-6 win.
