Reyes Cup Pool 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Team Asia WIN historic competition despite Jayson Shaw’s final day heroics
TEAM Asia have WON the first-ever Reyes Cup despite Jayson Shaw's final day heroics.
Scottish superstar Shaw earned Team Europe two vital points to keep the competition rumbling on.
But Aloysius Yapp beat Francisco Sanchez Ruiz to create history and put a smile on arguably the greatest man to pick up a cue, Efren Reyes' face.
- LIVE RESULT: Team Asia 11-6 Team Europe
- TV channel: Sky Sports Mix
- FREE live stream:
- Explainer: FULL schedule and results
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Follow ALL the action from the Reyes Cup with our live blog below...
As it stands
We’re 12 matches into the first-ever Reyes Cup – and it’s been a one-sided affair.
Asia leads Europe 9-3 after Day 3 in Manila, where they took the session 2-1 on Thursday.
11 is the magic number for Asia tomorrow. They’re just 2 away.
- Game 1: Team Asia 5-1 Team Europe
- Game 2: Jayson Shaw/Francisco Sanchez Ruiz 5-4 Ko Pin Yi/Johann Chua
- Game 3: Carlo Biado/Aloysius Yapp 5-3 Eklent Kaci/Jayson Shaw
State of play
Team Asia are leading 9-3 and need TWO points to seal the maiden Reyes Cup in Manila.
There are nine matches today...and team Team Europe need to win eight of them to pull off the comeback of all comebacks.
Here is how the action unfolded yesterday:
- Game 1: Team Asia 5-1 Team Europe
- Game 2: Jayson Shaw/Francisco Sanchez Ruiz 5-4 Ko Pin Yi/Johann Chua
- Game 3: Carlo Biado/Aloysius Yapp 5-3 Eklent Kaci/Jayson Shaw
Friday thriller
Team Asia are closing in on a stunning Reyes Cup triumph.
But can Team Europe pull off an almighty shock?
The action gets underway from 7.30pm over in the Philippines, which is 12.30pm UK this afternoon.
We can't wait!
Action packed Friday
Organisers decide to move two matches on Thursday to be part of Friday's schedule - presumably to give those who bought tickets for the final day the chance to see a bit of action.
That means if Europe, somehow, claw their way all the back into this one, fans could see a maximum of nine matches on Friday.
We don't see it happening but that would be some story.
Thursday reminder
In case you were wondering on the score, it has been one way traffic so far in Manila.
Team Asia are currently leading 9-3 and need just two more points to take home the first-ever Reyes Cup.
Europe will now have to win eight of the next nine points to take home the trophy.
Here are the results from Thursday:
- Game 1: Team Asia 5-1 Team Europe
- Game 2: Jayson Shaw/Francisco Sanchez Ruiz 5-4 Ko Pin Yi/Johann Chua
- Game 3: Carlo Biado/Aloysius Yapp 5-3 Eklent Kaci/Jayson Shaw
Tribute to Bata
Team Europe star David Alcaide paid tribute to Efren 'Bata' Reyes, who is currently captaining Asia to what would be a remarkable win.
Asia came in against Karl Boyes' team as heavy underdog, especially given Europe's recent dominance of the Mosconi Cup and long experience of team play and doubles as well as singles.
In a video on social media, the Spaniard - a two-time world champion currently ranked No 7 in the world - said: "I started playing billiards watching your videos.
"You were and are a reference for all of us.
"Today I am lucky to play the first Reyes Cup, thank you."
'It's tough'
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz echoed Chua's sentiments, stating it has been a surprise at Asia taking this big lead - as well as lamenting some missed opportunities.
The Spaniard said: "It's a tough moment for us, we've missed a couple of opportunities, especially in the team matches.
"But it has happened now, they've played well, they had some rolls and they took their chances.
"The momentum is not with us to be honest, it's tough.
"Winning one point [on Thursday] gave us a little bit of confidence but we then lost the next one.
"[Friday] is going to be a new day, whether that is luck or playing good, but we will try our best.
"I was thinking it would be a close match [even though Europe were favourites]. We have more experience in this kind of event but Asia is a strong team full of champions."
'I never expected it'
World No 10 and Philippines' top player Johann Chua has said he is surprised how one-sided the competition has been through three days, although admits the Asian team have got the roll of the ball so far.
He said: "[The 9-3 scoreline] is a surprise, I never expected this kind of scoreline. I didn't think it would happen vice versa either.
"I thought it would be a close fight, but we also got some rolls, it is what is is.
"We've got a good vibe together since we lost the opening match, we went to the practice room and talked together.
"We won the second match and from there we've had a boost in confidence."
Golden guys
A golden break in pool is one of the toughest - and most coveted - things to pull off in a match.
They occur when a player pots the nine-ball straight from the break, winning the rack instantly.
Thursday's Reyes Cup action saw FOUR - three for Europe and one for Asia.
Friday order of play
Because of the change in schedule, we have not yet been told which games will be played in which order at this stage.
We're unlikely to know that any time soon, considering it's now gone 3am in Manila, but we'll update you with the news as soon as it's announced.
That will most likely be early morning UK time.
Friday's schedule
There's a very slim chance we have a full nine matches on Friday should Team Europe not only complete an incredible comeback but also drop a point to take us up to point 21.
But, with the way the two teams have been playing so far in Manila, we would absolutely not be surprised if Asia win the first two matches on Friday morning and take an 11-3 overall win.
Europe have some of the world's best players and should not yet be counted out.
But they certainly have their work cut out.
Two of the goats
Older pool fans would have been absolutely loving that surprise exhibition - we'll even forgive the organisers their obvious desire to have the event running the full four days.
As it stands
We're 12 matches into the first-ever Reyes Cup - and it's been a one-sided affair.
Asia leads Europe 9-3 after Day 3 in Manila, where they took the session 2-1 on Thursday.
11 is the magic number for Asia tomorrow. They're just 2 away.
- Game 1: Team Asia 5-1 Team Europe
- Game 2: Jayson Shaw/Francisco Sanchez Ruiz 5-4 Ko Pin Yi/Johann Chua
- Game 3: Carlo Biado/Aloysius Yapp 5-3 Eklent Kaci/Jayson Shaw
Day 4 schedule
With the final two matches pushed back on Thursday, it could be a bumper final day in Manila.
Day 4's schedule will be released later tonight, as Asia closes in on the inaugural title.
They need just 2 points tomorrow to seal the win.
Both of these matches were cancelled today and will be completed first up.
- Johann Chua vs David Alcaide
- Ko Pin Yi & Duong Quoc Hoang vs Mikey Krause & Francisco Sanchez Ruiz
FSR speaks
A disappointed Francisco Sanchez Ruiz spoke following another tough day for Team Europe.
FSR said: "We missed a couple of chances, especially in the big matches.
"They played good. We won one point to give a bit of confidence, but ended up losing the next one.
"Tomorrow we need something more. We will try out best, for sure."
Final score - Bustamante 4-2 Jones
Trick shots galore during a surprise exhibition game in Manila.
Bustamante, repping a t-shirt and jeans, shows off his incredible skills with a selection of ridiculous pots.
The crowd left inside the arena lap it up. Great entertainment from the two old pros.
Fan favourites
Team Asia's success means the tournament has had to end early tonight.
But fans who have bought tickets in Manila are being treated to a special exhibition.
Filipino legend Django Bustamante is currently facing pool icon Jeremy Jones.
Three and out
It's a shortened session in the Philippines after Asia moved to within just 2 points of the title.
We'll have to wait until tomorrow and the final day of competition to see who takes the inaugural Reyes Cup.
Europe have it all to do, trailing 9-3 overall.
Day 3 recap
Here's how the results have gone on another strong day for Asia in Manila.
- Game 1: Team Asia 5-1 Team Europe
- Game 2: Jayson Shaw/Francisco Sanchez Ruiz 5-3 Ko Pin Yi/Johann Chua
- Carlo Biado/Aloysius Yapp 5-3 Eklent Kaci/Jayson Shaw
Final score – Yapp/Biado 5-3 Shaw/Kaci
A tense star to this 8th rack as Shaw and Kaci look to force a break.
But the Asian pair are just locked in. From 2-3 down, to 5-3 winners.
Once Biado gets the 2 ball to sink, they don't look back.
9-3 Asia, they're just two points away from the cup.
Latest score – Yapp/Biado 4-3 Shaw/Kaci
This could be a huge rack in the context of the whole Reyes Cup.
Asia have turned it round, with Biado showing off his immense power during a break-neck clearance.
Yapp and The Black Tiger are now just one game away from the point.
Latest score – Yapp/Biado 3-3 Shaw/Kaci
The teams just keep on trading blows.
Another strong break from Yapp, with Asia this time refusing to let Europe on the table.
Biado is left a tricky shot into the corner on the 9, but cuts it in to perfection.
Latest score – Yapp/Biado 2-3 Shaw/Kaci
A real chess match during this rack, as the teams trade snookers.
But it's the Europeans who get the break, the 2 rolling into the pocket after a lucky kiss.
Shaw and Kaci clear up, retaking the lead.
Latest score – Yapp/Biado 2-2 Shaw/Kaci
Brilliant shot on the 5-ball from Biado, drawing a huge cheer from the crowd.
That's easily the biggest mid-rack roar of the day. Huge moment with Europe threatening a 3-1 lead.
Biado's shot opens up the table, allowing the Team Asia pair to clear up again.
Latest score – Yapp/Biado 1-2 Shaw/Kaci
Shaw and Kaci dominate the third rack, much to the annoyance of a partisan home crowd in Manila.
They won't let Asia get to the table, clearing up and retaking the lead.