Philippine billiards icon Django Bustamante will be the captain of Team Asia for the secon edition of the Reyes Cup set later this month.
Bustamante, a former world champion who was also a rival of Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes, will be the non-playing captain of Team Asia, opposite ‘Double J’ Jeremy Jones, who will take the helm for Team Rest of the World.
In the inaugural season of the Reyes Cup, Team Asia, made up of Johann Chua, Carlo Biado, Ko Pin-yi, Duong Quoc Hoang and Aloysius Yapp, brought home the championship against Team Europe, composed Jayson Shaw, Mickey Krause, Eklent Kaçi, David Alcaide and Francisco Sánchez Ruíz.
Now, there will be a much greater challenge for Team Asia, as they battle some of the best pool players from outside the continent.
‘It is such an honor to be named captain of Team Asia, especially here in the Philippines. The Reyes Cup means so much to our fans, and I will do everything I can to lead our team to defend the title Efren claimed,’ Bustamante said.
‘Last year was special, but this year we know the challenge will be even greater. Jeremy is a great champion and competitor, but I am ready to keep the Cup in Asia,’ he added.
For his part, Jones said that his long playing experience ‘is a real privilege.’
‘Team Asia will be tough, especially with Django at the helm, but we’re coming to Manila with one mission: to make history and take that trophy back with us,’ he said.
With captains confirmed, attention now turns to the final player qualification spots, to be decided at the Hanoi Open Pool Championship from October 7-12.
Wildcard selections will follow shortly thereafter.