Billiards: Duong Quoc Hoang wins a wild card to defend the Reyes Cup title?

The first three tickets of the Asian team competing in the prestigious Reyes Cup team billiards tournament are unlikely to slip out of the hands of Carlo Biado, Aloysius Yapp and Johann Chua. Meanwhile, Duong Quoc Hoang has the opportunity to win 1 of the 2 remaining wildcard spots.

The three surefire spots and the competition for wildcard tickets

According to the regulations of the Reyes Cup 2025 team billiards pool tournament, the Asian team consists of 5 players: 3 Asian players with the best positions on the World Nineball Tour (WNT) rankings and 2 wild cards. Of which, Aloysius Yapp (Singapore, 2nd place), Carlo Biado (Philippines, 3rd place) and Johann Chua (Philippines, 4th place) are considered to have occupied the first 3 slots. These are the top players on the continent, maintaining stable performance in international tournaments and occupying safe positions on the WNT rankings.

Therefore, attention will be focused on the remaining two spots, where a series of bright names such as the Taiwanese Ko brothers (Ko Pin Yi - 9th, Ko Ping Chung - 20th), Jeffrey Roda (Philippines, 18th), Bernie Regalario (Philippines, 21st), Naoyuki Oi (Japan, 24th) are ready to create fierce competition.

In that context, the only representative of Vietnam, Duong Quoc Hoang (nickname Hoang Sao, ranked 22nd), also appeared in this race. The player born in 1987 is considered to have a chance to win 1 of 2 special slots to join the Asian team.

What advantages does Hoang Sao have?

Compared to many other players, Hoang Sao's strength is not only in terms of skill, but also in media appeal. He always brings a wave of special attention every time he participates in international tournaments. Hoang Sao left a strong impression at the Reyes Cup 2024. It is the combination of expertise and media effects that makes the Vietnamese player a potential candidate for a wild card spot.

Duong Quoc Hoang (left cover) and the Asian team won the Reyes Cup 2024

PHOTO: WNT

In 2024, Hoang Sao and his teammates Carlo Biado, Johann Chua, Aloysius Yapp, Ko Pin Yi defeated the European team with a score of 11-6, to convincingly win the championship. Last year, the European team included famous players such as: Jayson Shaw (England), Eklent Kaci (Albania), Francisco Sanchez Ruiz (Spain), David Alcaide (Spain), Mickey Krause (Denmark).

New challenge for Asian team

The new feature of the Reyes Cup 2025 comes from the Asian team's opponents. Instead of the European team like last year, Asian players will compete with the rest of the world team (Europe, America...). Similarly, the rest of the world team also includes: 3 players (non-Asian) with the highest positions on the WNT rankings and 2 wildcard spots (for players outside of Asia).

Bright stars like Fedor Gorst (USA, ranked 1st), Joshua Filler (Germany, ranked 5th), Eklent Kaci (Albania, ranked 6th) are considered the top candidates to join the rest of the world team.

The Reyes Cup 2024 will take place from October 16 to October 19 in the Philippines. This is a tournament to pay tribute to the "living legend" of the world's billiards pool - Efren Reyes (Filipino).

In the 2024 tournament, two Asian teams and a European team will compete in a maximum of 21 matches. Accordingly, the team that reaches 11 wins first will be crowned champion. Team, doubles and singles matches will be played alternately on each day of competition.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/billiards-duong-quoc-hoang-gianh-suat-dac-cach-de-bao-ve-ngoi-vuong-reyes-cup-185250830143917967.htm