Team Rest of the World denies Team Asia’s bid for Reyes Cup three-peat

Team Asia and Team Rest of the World after the 2026 Reyes Cup, October 18, 2026 at the Makati Coliseum. Kurt Andre Mandigma, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

MANILA — Team Asia’s bid for a third consecutive Reyes Cup title came to an end after Team Rest of the World claimed an 11-4 victory in the 2026 edition on Sunday at the Makati Coliseum.

The Asian squad failed to gain momentum in the final day after dropping the opening 5-on-5 match, while Robbie Capito and Dương Quốc Hoàng fell to Francisco Sánchez Ruiz and Shane Van Boening in the do-or-die match.

After putting up a consistent performance throughout their campaign, Spanish Francisco Sanchez Ruiz secured the Most Valuable Player award.

Asia opened the tournament with a strong showing, taking the first two matches on Day 1. 

After Team Asia took the opening 5-on-5 match, Carlo Biado and Capito dominated Joshua Filler and Aleksa Pecelj, 5-1, in the doubles to put Asia ahead, 2-0.

But ROW answered in the final two matches to level the score at 2-2.

The tide turned on Day 2 as ROW swept the first three matches to seize a 5-2 lead.

Biado stopped the run with a comeback win singles win over Van Boening, but Filler and Sanchez Ruiz edged Capito and Albert Januarta in a hill-hill doubles clash, to put team ROW ahead, 6-3.

Team Asia at the 2026 Reyes Cup, October 18, 2026 at the Makati Coliseum. Kurt Andre Mandigma, ABS-CBN News Digital InternROW tightened its grip on the cup on Day 3, winning three of four matches to stretch its lead to 9-4. 

Biado and Januarta delivered Asia’s lone point with a 5-3 doubles victory over Filler and Fedor Gorst, capped by Januarta’s golden break. 

After surrendering the crown, Asia’s campaign gives way to the Philippines Open Pool Championship, where the world’s top cue artists return to competition from Oct. 20 to 24 at Gateway Mall in Quezon City.