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

[gopi-1]

Johan also pointed out that American pride and the belief that Americans are the best at everything, including pool has been part of the downfall of American players. European and Asian countries, he said, take a completely different approach to developing young talent. They start training seriously at a young age, with structure, coaching, and professionalism. Meanwhile, many American players rely on raw talent and self-belief rather than disciplined preparation. His comments made a lot of sense.

JAM, I haven’t been back home (Philippines) in 22+ years, but for what its worth, 99% of Filipinos are self taught. They have to learn the game the hard way. You don’t win, you don’t eat, and no food on the table.

I really want to hear someone who’s been there recently. Jay’s been back and forth the past few years, and I want to hear his take on this.

 

[sjm]

One last thing, I was there at the Reyes Cup for the first two days and I saw nothing at all that looked like "toxicity." And I'm a very good observer of human behavior. I saw a group of people all working together to make the best show they could. There was a lot of laughter and camaraderie going on behind the scenes, and the entire crew seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was never any hint of animosity or anger, and I had access (as media) all over the arena. If there was any concern it was due to the lopsided score of the match and how they would handle it, both for the fans and the television broadcast.

Clearly, the mismatch, caused by a comical selection process that caused Team ROW to go with a squad that has won no WNT majors in 2025 and four players that had bad years relative to expectations (Neuhausen the clear exception), was the only problem.

The only two ROW players that won a 2025 WNT major were Filler (European Open) and Labutis (Hanoi Open), and neither was selected. SVB, in good form, narrowly losing the final to Yapp at the recent Florida Open, a WNT major, was also omitted from the team. With Team ROW leaving these elite, in-form, performers at the WNT majors at home, this team did not represent the best of the ROW. I'm sure the last thing Matchroom wants is for people to think that "the best players at Matchroom" and "the best players in the world" are two very different matters, but that was the impression created at the Reyes Cup.

Contrastingly, Asia showed up with the World 9ball champion, the US Open 9ball champion, and its roster carried four WNT major championships in 2025. They could have also had Ko Ping Chung, the reigning world 10ball champion, who is firmly in the conversation for best Asian player, but did not. I was rooting for Team ROW, but I was neither surprised nor disappointed in the least by this massacre.

What you say is 100% true. There can be no question that, for attendees, Matchroom productions are the best in our sport. Their arenas are superb, their presenters and commentators are superb, and they do whatever it takes to maximize the quality of the fan experience. As you noted in a different post, Emily is a lot more than an effective administrator during WNT produced events. She takes the job of hostess very seriously and her people skills and charisma make her one of the crowd, a role in which she seems to delight.

I will spend my money on attending Matchroom events for as long as I remain on this earth, for I know of what kind of experience I'm assured. I will also continue, by sharing my experiences with this forum and with countless other pool fans and afficianados in my circle, to recommend that others patronize Matchroom events as I do.

All the credit to Asia for their fine play.

The mismatch that was the 2025 Reyes Cup in no way tarnishes the Matchroom reputation, but they got burned by a selection process that was not, in any way, based on 2025 performance. Hopefully, they will learn from this mistake.

 

[VVP]

A business model based on rewarding loyalty only will always fail. Sidelined players might only show up for major tournaments which have potential for bigger payouts, to the detriment of the sport.

Production is not only about TV, the temperature at the arena for the Hanoi Open was miserable according to many players including Biado. Matchroom needs to do better, it has the resources.

 

[sjm]

A business model based on rewarding loyalty only will always fail. Sidelined players might only show up for major tournaments which have potential for bigger payouts, to the detriment of the sport.

Production is not only about TV, the temperature at the arena for the Hanoi Open was miserable according to many players including Biado. Matchroom needs to do better, it has the resources.

Thanks for your input. Obviously, I am only sharing my own experiences as a WNT event attendee. Issues in the arena at the Hanoi Open are beyond my reach as I have yet to attend.

To be fair, though, the 2025 Hanoi Open was played during a typhoon in Vietnam, one that wiped out the entire first day of play. Hence, I'm not sure Matchroom would have had the customary control of playing conditions. It's to their greatest credit that the event was neither cancelled nor its completion delayed.

 

[VVP]

Thanks for your input. Obviously, I am only sharing my own experiences as a WNT event attendee. Issues in the arena at the Hanoi Open are beyond my reach as I have yet to attend.

To be fair, though, the 2025 Hanoi Open was played during a typhoon in Vietnam, one that wiped out the entire first day of play. Hence, I'm not sure Matchroom would have had the customary control of playing conditions. It's to their greatest credit that the event was neither cancelled nor its completion delayed.

I am sure if they had reached out to the players and explained the situation with the heat/no AC, the players would not have reverted to social media to complain. Something went wrong management wise.

Do you really think MR would have cancelled the event given all the investment made? No sure about your "credit" logic, but everyone sees things differently.

 

[sjm]

I am sure if they had reached out to the players and explained the situation with the heat/no AC, the players would not have reverted to social media to complain. Something went wrong management wise.

Do you really think MR would have cancelled the event given all the investment made? No sure about your "credit" logic, but everyone sees things differently.

No doubt, they would have only canceled if logistics (and TV news footage showed many roads and towns flooded in that immediate area) made its completion unrealistic.

Yes, perhaps there was a communications failure here, but I'm in no position to say.

Let's add that Matchroom's willingness to step up to the plate and effectively deal with a crisis was well established when local authorities forced them to cancel the 2020 Mosconi because Alexandra Palace would not be available to them. The moved the event to Buckinghamshire and played it with no fans permitted in the arena.

 

[VVP]

No doubt, they would have only canceled if logistics (and TV news footage showed many roads and towns flooded in that immediate area) made its completion unrealistic.

Yes, perhaps there was a communications failure here, but I'm in no position to say.

Let's add that Matchroom's willingness to step up to the plate and effectively deal with a crisis was well established when local authorities forced them to cancel the 2020 Mosconi because Alexandra Palace would not be available to them. The moved the event to Buckinghamshire and played it with no fans permitted in the arena.

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"