MAKATI CITY — The 2026 Roobet Reyes Cup is set to make history at the Makati Coliseum from October 15 to 18, marking the first time the venue will host an international billiards tournament of this magnitude. The third edition of the premier team event pits back-to-back champions Team Asia against a stacked Team Rest of the World in a race-to-11 series across four days of high-stakes nineball. The tournament is organized by Matchroom’s World Nineball Tour in partnership with Puyat Sports, and the Philippine Sports Commission is also supporting the event. Fans can catch every session live at the Coliseum or stream the action on WNT TV.
Team Lineups and Competitive Stakes
Team Asia, captained by legendary Filipino cue artist Francisco “Django” Bustamante, features reigning World Champion Carlo Biado, last year’s MVP AJ Manas, and Hong Kong-born Filipino standout Robbie Capito, who is making his Reyes Cup debut. They are joined by Indonesian rising star Albert Januarta and returning Vietnamese player Duong Quoc Hoang. Team Rest of the World, led by Ralf Souquet, brings five-time US Open winner Shane Van Boening, Joshua “The Killer” Filler, Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, Fedor Gorst, and debutant Aleksa Pecelj of Serbia. The rosters represent the deepest talent pool in the tournament’s short history. The move to Makati Coliseum from the larger Ninoy Aquino Stadium is a deliberate shift toward a more intimate and electric atmosphere. With a capacity of approximately 3,500, the Coliseum places spectators closer to the action, creating a denser and more engaged crowd. The arena recently underwent a major renovation completed in late 2024, improving the spectator experience and addressing the facility’s condition. Tickets are available in General Admission, Premium Seating, and a GA Season Pass covering the full four-day event.
Makati’s Growing Role as a Sports Destination
Hosting the Reyes Cup reinforces Makati’s emerging identity as a city capable of staging world-class sporting events. Earlier in 2026, the city supported the inaugural “HD LiftOff” weightlifting competition led by Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and her academy, which was held at the Glorietta Activity Center in August. The event featured a world-class Eleiko IWF competition platform and drew young athletes from across the country. These back-to-back international events demonstrate a coordinated effort to position Makati as a hub for sports tourism and athlete development. The Reyes Cup forms a crucial anchor for the World Nineball Tour’s major Southeast Asian swing. Immediately following the tournament, the Philippines Open Pool Championship will take place from October 20 to 24 at Gateway Mall in Quezon City. For Makati, the event is more than a competition; it is an opportunity to showcase the city’s capability to host international sporting events and to celebrate the Philippines’ deep-rooted passion for billiards.
