EFREN ‘Bata’ Reyes admitted the Reyes Cup, a competition between the best of Asia and Europe that is slated to hold its first edition next month, is a dream he has had for quite a while now.
Reyes shared he had long been eager to participate in a format similar to the Mosconi Cup where Team Europe and Team USA compete for supremacy annually.
Now, Matchroom Pool has formed a similar concept through the Reyes Cup, which also honors the 70-year-old who is considered as the greatest pool player of all time.
It will be held from October 15 to 18 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Ang tournament na ‘to, matagal ko nang hinihintay ‘to, noon pa lang na nagkaroon ng Mosconi Cup,” said Reyes during the tournament’s press conference held at Cignal headquarters in Mandaluyong.
For the first edition, no other than Reyes will serve as team captain for Asia, though on a non-playing capacity. His counterpart will be Karl Boyes, who will also not suit up for Europe.
Reyes admitted it would have been great if he had a chance to play in the environment similar to the Mosconi Cup, acknowledged as billiards' version of the Ryder Cup in golf, when he was younger.
'Bata's' bets from all over Asia
The next best thing now for Reyes is to create the best possible team for Asia.
“Ang daming magagaling ngayon sa Team Europe. Pero tingin ko, may panalo ang Team Asia. Kaya lang, hindi na ako puwede ngayon dahil matanda na ako. Pero kung dati pa, puwede pa,” said Reyes.
“Kaya pumili kami ng mga magagaling dito sa Asia at kung saan-saan dito,” he added.
Team Asia will be fielding Filipino bet Johann Chua, Aloysius Yapp of Singapore, and Ko Pin Yi of Chinese Taipei, while Team Europe is comprised by Eklent Kaci of Albania, Mickey Krause of Denmark, and Joshua Filler of Germany.
Two more wild card players will be selected for each team next month.
A total of 21 matches in race-to-5 format varying from singles and doubles will be held, with the first team to reach 11 points winning the inaugural edition.
“This is going to just be phenomenal,” said Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer. “The Mosconi Cup has been running for 30 years now and we sell out a 2,500-seat arena. Imagine where we will be with the Reyes Cup in just four weeks."
Most of all, the inaugural tournament will be tipping its cap to 'The Magician,' who may not be competing, but still serves as inspiration to many pool players.
“I cannot wait to see all the seats filled up here at the Ninoy Aquino National Stadium in Manila. It’s about creating history, and what better way to do it (than with) the iconic Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes,” said Frazer.
“It is a very opportune time to create an event in honour of Efren Reyes in his home country. My thanks go to Matchroom," said Puyat Sports owner and founder Aristeo ‘Putch’ Puyat.
"There is no bigger honour we can give to Efren Reyes after he announced himself on the world stage winning Matchroom’s first televised World Championship in 1999."
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