2025 Reyes Cup, Oct 16-19, Manilla. Team Asia vs Team World

[Poolplaya9]

I watched a game for a short time and it looks like 8 ball. What's the big difference except pocket cuts?

That's the only difference it takes. Totally changes the game into something else. You apparently don't have much or perhaps any experience with those kinds of pockets, but once you have played on them some it would become apparent how much it changes the game.

 

[skogstokig]

Then all pool players should have been in China, no?

not really, no. it's not their first time on chinese tables, they've played in heyball events which is played on the same tables with rounded pockets. and they're half decent at 9-ball.

 

[nmh2008]

We don't know exactly what Molina asked the Kos.
If he asked, did Matchroom offer you to play in the Reyes Cup and they said yes, but we chose China that would be a totally different situation. Actually, it would have been to MR's public relations benefit to put out a statement indicating which of the top players were offered and declined for whatever reason.

Why? It's tough to see how making public which great players chose not to play in your event brings your event any modicum of prestige

 

[sjm]

Come on, are you trying to insinuate that by moving to Buckinghamshire they operated at a loss and just for the benefit of TV viewing fans? I would believe they make more money from TV than in person attendance. "Willingness to step up to the plate"

What I'm saying is they have shown great adaptability when confronted with stressful situations and I see it as a sign of superior management. It's your every right to disagree.

 

[Architect]

Duya Legends Golden Nine Classic Jinan Station

Ko Ping Chung eliminated at 49-64th place
Ko Pin Yi eliminated at 17-32nd place
Wu Jiaqing eliminated 5-8th – He lost to the overall tournament winner and was leading going into the final 2 racks but ended up losing to the overall winner. Nice to see that he’s still playing at a very high level.

I couldn’t find the payouts beyond the top 4.
1st - $280K
2nd - $113K
3rd - $42k
4th - $21k

Total prize pool was about $723K with $456K going to the top 4 leaving $267K for the rest of people that placed within the top 128. Unless both Ko brothers were guaranteed a spot on the Reyes cup, they collectively probably didn’t make much less than one being on a winning Reyes Cup team. But they gave themselves the chance to make 10x the payout in China plus giving their sponsors and products a much larger audience. They pretty much made the logical choice even if they didn’t win a very top prize.

 

[VVP]

Why? It's tough to see how making public which great players chose not to play in your event brings your event any modicum of prestige

Not really, if there is a good reason why they chose not to play.

 

[jay helfert]

Duya Legends Golden Nine Classic Jinan Station

Ko Ping Chung eliminated at 49-64th place
Ko Pin Yi eliminated at 17-32nd place
Wu Jiaqing eliminated 5-8th – He lost to the overall tournament winner and was leading going into the final 2 racks but ended up losing to the overall winner. Nice to see that he’s still playing at a very high level.

I couldn’t find the payouts beyond the top 4.
1st - $280K
2nd - $113K
3rd - $42k
4th - $21k

Total prize pool was about $723K with $456K going to the top 4 leaving $267K for the rest of people that placed within the top 128. Unless both Ko brothers were guaranteed a spot on the Reyes cup, they collectively probably didn’t make much less than one being on a winning Reyes Cup team. But they gave themselves the chance to make 10x the payout in China plus giving their sponsors and products a much larger audience. They pretty much made the logical choice even if they didn’t win a very top prize.

Nice top prize and even second money, but it sure drops off fast after that. Third place was the same as first place at the Peri and Hanoi. I wonder what the Ko brothers won for their finishes of 17th and 49th. Money wise, they probably would have fared better in the WNT events. PR wise may be another thing to consider.

 

[gopi-1]

Thanks for asking. There has been a defacto training center in Manila for decades now at Star Paper. It is a private facility owned by a wealthy backer of pool in the Philippines. Only pros and aspiring pros can enter the premises. You must enter through a security gate outside, and for a new player to get in one of the pros must vouch for you.

Star Paper's "poolroom" has maybe 18-20 top of the line tables and they are kept in good shape by attendants there. The players have access to free food and drinks while practicing there. It is a place where the top pros pass their knowledge on to the aspiring pros and help them with their game. When I was there I saw instruction and interaction of all kinds including playing sets against each other. I don't think they are allowed to gamble there. I believe this environment helps to create the great camaraderie we see among the Filipino players where they all support each other.

I think it goes without question that more good players come out of the Philippines then anywhere else. In essence the Filipino players are not "self taught." They undergo their own type of training and it seems to work fairly well I'd say. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

As for the many Filipino players who come from the provinces (far away from Manila), they all aspire to come to Manila and learn there. And when they are good enough they make it to the big time and start practicing with the big boys (Tier One and Two) in Manila. The rest is up to them and their own dedication.

One thing I left out is that in the huge metropolis of Manila there are several groups/poolrooms dedicated to hosting money games. Such as Marboys and a few others. This acts as a proving ground for new talent, where you might see a young up and coming player playing sets with Efren, Francisco, Dennis or other veteran players. This is how they work their way up the ladder. They spend more time actually playing in competition than simply practicing and hitting balls.

Thanks for this Jay. I’ve been to Star Paper a couple of times with Efren and Rolly “Boy” Vicente when I still back there. It used to function as a hangout and practice facility for the top tier players, and with just a handfull of tables.

When you say “they undergo with their own type of training” is the very definition of self taught Jay! Aspiring players watch great players like Biado as much as they can, and pick up a new way to shoot a shot or two, move on and watch another great player do his thing. They try to mold themselves into these version of Biado/Chua/Corteza/Orcullo 2.0, a combination of all the players.

But you and I know that the biggest motivating factor in the Philippines is poverty, and they know that being good at pool is their ticket way out.

 

[VVP]

Nice top prize and even second money, but it sure drops off fast after that. Third place was the same as first place at the Peri and Hanoi. I wonder what the Ko brothers won for their finishes of 17th and 49th. Money wise, they probably would have fared better in the WNT events. PR wise may be another thing to consider.

I always thought the Kos were against China because their shirts usually say "Taiwan" instead of "Chinese Taipei." Maybe times must have changed given China's marketing potential.

 

[SA96]

Johan spoke a lot of sense on the Doggin It podcast.

Matchroom do a lot of good things, but the Reyes Cup and Mosconi Cup are not competitive.

It looks like people are getting fed up of the Mosconi Cup, ticket sales look very slow and I have no doubt Matchroom will be worried.

Get the USA a proper coach like Johan and see how Team USA get on.

If USA go with Sky as captain with input from "JJ" and "Frosty", I will not be watching.

Europe will win easy, 11-4 or 11-6 at best.

 

[Kris_b1104]

Since Sky is captain, then it is probably 99% accurate that Billy Thorpe will be on the team. I think for the first time in a decade, I might not watch the Mosconi Cup.

Put Lukas on the team and I'm watching all day long. I just can't do it anymore watching a team that consists of the same people year after year with no different result, that is literally the definition of insanity.

Give someone else a chance that's actually hungry. We know Thorpe, Woodward and Styer can't hold a candle to the Euros, so why keep doing this dance? They are simply not elite and never will be until they change some kind of habit/lifestyle/mentality. I will say Styer does have that mentality to be elite, due to his regimen and discipline, he is just missing that killer instinct and tends to choke a lot.

Idk man, it's just frustrating. Like if I know I'm gonna be on the Mosconi Cup at the end of the year, I would be training my ass off and trying to play the best I can in preparation for said event. I just don't get it with our guys, where is the drive? It's sad to see, as a fan of the sport and a supporter of team USA.

 

[jay helfert]

Since Sky is captain, then it is probably 99% accurate that Billy Thorpe will be on the team. I think for the first time in a decade, I might not watch the Mosconi Cup.

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Put Lukas on the team and I'm watching all day long. I just can't do it anymore watching a team that consists of the same people year after year with no different result, that is literally the definition of insanity.

Give someone else a chance that's actually hungry. We know Thorpe, Woodward and Styer can't hold a candle to the Euros, so why keep doing this dance? They are simply not elite and never will be until they change some kind of habit/lifestyle/mentality. I will say Styer does have that mentality to be elite, due to his regimen and discipline, he is just missing that killer instinct and tends to choke a lot.

Idk man, it's just frustrating. Like if I know I'm gonna be on the Mosconi Cup at the end of the year, I would be training my ass off and trying to play the best I can in preparation for said event. I just don't get it with our guys, where is the drive? It's sad to see, as a fan of the sport and a supporter of team USA.

We need to import some Euros like Neuhausen and Labutis and put them on the U.S team like we did with Gorst. That should work!

 

[jay helfert]

Thanks for this Jay. I’ve been to Star Paper a couple of times with Efren and Rolly “Boy” Vicente when I still back there. It used to function as a hangout and practice facility for the top tier players, and with just a handfull of tables.

When you say “they undergo with their own type of training” is the very definition of self taught Jay! Aspiring players watch great players like Biado as much as they can, and pick up a new way to shoot a shot or two, move on and watch another great player do his thing. They try to mold themselves into these version of Biado/Chua/Corteza/Orcullo 2.0, a combination of all the players.

But you and I know that the biggest motivating factor in the Philippines is poverty, and they know that being good at pool is their ticket way out.

More than a "handful" of tables, but I agree with your assessment. Much of the time they are studying the top players, as well they should.
It's often a combination of coming from poor surroundings and a desire to make something of their lives beyond what they grew up in. It's not always poverty per se, but just a life of living hand to mouth at low paying menial jobs. Playing pool, especially if they can make it to the U.S. can pay big rewards, and has for many Filipinos. That is starting to change now as there are more and more events taking place in Asia. It is much easier for them to get visas to these countries.