Reyes Cup MVP ‘just a bonus’ for Sánchez Ruíz after Team ROW’s breakthrough

MANILA — Francisco Sánchez Ruíz placed team success above individual recognition after winning the Most Valuable Player award while leading Team Rest of the World to the 2026 Reyes Cup title.

“Like I said, MVP is just a bonus… the main goal is to win the cup,” Sánchez Ruíz said in a post-match interview.

The Spaniard expressed satisfaction with his teammates’ performances, crediting their collective effort for securing the title against Team Asia.

“I’m really glad to win the cup with the team. The guys played amazing,” he said.

While pleased with the MVP recognition, Sánchez Ruíz viewed the award as a testament to the work he put into improving his game, especially after experiencing difficulties in previous editions of the tournament.

“The last two years, I struggled a lot, especially in some matches,” he said.

Sánchez Ruíz pointed to his performance  in team matches as a major factor in his campaign, highlighting crucial kick shots and long shots that helped his side during tight situations.

He also attributed Team ROW’s success to the players’ chemistry and preparation before the competition. According to Sánchez Ruíz, the team had four days to train together, allowing them to practice doubles and determine which player combinations worked best.

“I think it was because we have so much good energy out of the table,” Sánchez Ruíz said. “When you have a team like that, when you’re on the table, you feel like it’s going to work, like, everything’s going to go in your way.”

Following the championship, Sánchez Ruíz will turn his attention to the Philippine Open, where he expects a different challenge in the 128-player single-elimination tournament.

Despite coming off an MVP-winning campaign, he acknowledged that maintaining his best form would be necessary to contend for another title.