Team Europe completes stunning reverse sweep of Team Asia to open 2024 Reyes Cup

Team Europe completed a stunning comeback to defeat Team Asia in the first team match of the 2024 Reyes Cup, setting the tone for the four-day competition.

Team Europe, led by team captain Karl Boyes, made a roaring opening statement by completing the comeback against Team Asia in the first team match of the 2024 Reyes Cup at the Ninoy Aquino National Stadium in Manila Tuesday, October 15.

The team match set the tone for the four-day competition, with the arena’s energy electric as pool fans flocked to see some of the world’s best players duke it out. It marked the start of what promises to be an intense battle between the two continental giants.

The Reyes Cup, named after legendary Filipino pool icon Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes, follows the prestigious Mosconi Cup format—a team-based event in which Asia and Europe compete in a mix of singles and doubles matches.

The first team to reach 11 points throughout 21 matches will be crowned champions.

Team Asia, comprised of Reyes, Aloysius Yapp, Johann Chua, Ko Pin Yi, Carlo Biado, and Duong Quoc Hoang, got off to a dream start.

Pinoy pool champion Carlo Biado and Singaporean star Aloysius Yapp displayed impeccable composure in the early frames, delivering clean break-and-runs that put immediate pressure on the Europeans.

Hanoi Open champion Johann Chua continued the dominant showing for Team Asia, unleashing a near-flawless run for a 3-0 start, later continued by Vietnam’s Duong Quoc Hoang as he pushed his squad to a near sweep.

However, quick victories by Mickey Krause of Denmark and Eklent Kaçi of Albania suddenly gave Team Europe momentum.

In the sixth frame, a slip-up from Yapp gave Scotland’s Jayson Shaw the victory to pile on the pressure against Team Asia, before Spanish star Francisco Sanchez Ruiz came roaring back to tie the game at 4-all.

In the winner-take-all frame, Hoang looked poised to secure the victory for Team Asia. However, his shot on the 7th ball failed to go down, as David Alcaide secured the comeback win for Team Europe.

The team match victory puts Europe in the driver’s seat, but the tournament still has a long way to go.

Next in the lineup will be the doubles match between the duo of Ko and Yapp against Alcaide and Ruiz.