Recently-crowned Hanoi Open champion Johann Chua wants to prove Asia belongs among 9-ball’s elite as he looks to lead Team Asia in the first-ever Reyes Cup.
Right after seizing his first major 9-ball crown in Vietnam, Johann Chua now faces a new challenge as he is set to power Team Asia in the inaugural Reyes Cup opening Tuesday, October 15, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Just hours since breaking through at the 2024 Mansion Sports Hanoi Open, Chua flew back to the Philippines in time for the kickoff press conference of the tournament named after Filipino billiards icon Efren “Bata” Reyes.
[RELATED: Johann Chua trumps Chinese Taipei's Ko Pin Yi to bag 2024 Mansion Sports Hanoi Open plum]
There, Chua spoke about wanting to prove that Asians — including Reyes himself who is considered among the best players in the sport ever — can duke it out with the best in the world, going up against Team Europe in the four-day tiff.
“Gusto nating ipakita na ang Asia is, hindi nila puwede tanggalin sa laro na ito. Kasi nandito ang pinaka-magaling, ang legend ng laro, galing sa Asia, sa bansa natin, sa Pilipinas,” Chua said.
“Napakagandang laro na maipapakita natin [dito] ngayon na maraming talento ang Asia ang maipakita na we are the best when it comes to pool.”
Joining Chua in Team Asia is compatriot Carlo Biado, Vietnam’s Duong Quoc Hoang, and Aloysius Yapp and Ko Pin Yi from Singapore.
Reyes, who was also present during the press conference, will serve as captain for the Asians.
Having scored a personal breakthrough in his career, Chua said that he is eager to bring the momentum to Ninoy Aquino Stadium when they face off with the Europeans led by Karl Boyes.
“Isang malaking bagay yun kasi talagang gino-goal ko yun and I am able to prove sa sarili ko na alam ko na na-surpass ko ang problema ko. Isang bagay yun na magagamit ko sa laro ko [dito sa Reyes Cup],” he said.
Chua is also looking forward to put on a show for the Filipino fans after performing well in front of thousands of pool fans in Vietnam.
“Ibang klase siyempre. Sa Vietnam last night, ang dami ng tao but iba pa rin yung mag-perform ka sa sarili mong bansa and may family and friends talaga. Yun yung mga bagay na sobrang excited ako ngayon and hindi ko maantay na makapag-perform ako bukas,” he said.
The Reyes Cup will follow the format of the prestigious Mosconi Cup, where a total of 21 matches will be played — including singles and doubles, with each match a race to five. The first team to reach 11 points will claim victory.
Apart from Boyes, Team Europe will flaunt Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, Jayson Shaw, Joshua Filler, Eklent Kaçi, and Mickey Krause.
Hostilities at the Reyes Cup begin Tuesday night with the action starting at 7:30 p.m. each night until Friday and will last until 12 midnight.