East and West battle in Kings Cup
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 18 Nov 2015
Eight of the brightest and finest pool sharks in the world battle starting today when the First Kings Cup of Pool unwraps at the posh Resorts World Hotel.
Asia's best Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante of the Philippines and Chinese Taipei's Ko Pin Yi and Ko Ping Chung clash with their American and European Counterparts Mika Immonen of Finland, Shane Van Boening of the U.S., Darren Appleton of the United Kingdom, and Albin Ouschan of Austria for three days spread until Saturday.
Dubbed as the West versus the East, the three-day epic, organized by Dragons promotions, is aimed at deciding which continent possesses the greatest billiards players in the whole universe.
Immonen, team captain of the West Team, for instance, is a two-time world titlist, Boening owns four plums, Appleton has three and Ouschan a one-time no. 1.
Bata, "The Magician," skipper of the East side, is a 9-ball and 10-ball world champ besides having been Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, and so is his kumpadre Django. Ko Pin Yi is four-time world kingpin, while Ko Ping Chung, a world Junior titleholder and currently ranked in the top 10.
This inaugural edition of the Snyder Cup marks the first time Europe and USA join forces in representing the West in an international competition of this magnitude, where the Philippines and Taiwan will also be playing as a team in the history of cue sport.
Today's action starts at 6 p.m. with the centerpiece four-on-four team competitions. Also scheduled are the preliminary rounds in singles, doubles, trios and singles plays.
The first team to win 10 matches goes home with the giant championship trophy. The 10-ball matches will be in a race-to-five system of play.
Dragons promotions is proud to announce that hostilities will be played on the beautifully designed Rasson Table using Andy Cloth, Viking Cue, Cyclop Balls while the players will wear prestigious clothing made by FA Clothing Company. Puyat Sports, Pool & Billiard Magazine, and Billiards Digest are also co-sponsors.
"This is the most concentrated group of great players I have ever seen. For sure there is going to be some amazing pool during those three days", Immonene said
The competition is much bigger over there against the Asians...There's going to be a lot of fans watching and big TV coverage. That's why I really enjoy playing in the Philippines. It's going to be a war," Boening added.
For Reyes, the tournament is what cue spot is needed to regain the glory the sport once enjoyed in the country.
"Billiards popularity here is at the downtrend, competitions like this is what we need for our countrymen to regain interest in the sport," he said
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rodrigo to challenge undefeated Sandoval in US
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Aug 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Call to Action 12 Items for Boxers' Safety
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 22 Aug 2025Libranza vs Pangga headlines Elorde card on Aug 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Aug 2025GM Antonio to compete in P100,000 top prize Rapid chessfest this Sunday in Roxas City, Capiz Province
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Aug 2025AISAT Basic Ed football training starts
By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, Fri, 22 Aug 2025Josh Navarro Scores Another Win in Pomona, California
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 22 Aug 2025UNDEFEATED CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE SET TO FACE HEBI MARAPU FOR IBF PAN PACIFIC TITLE
Fri, 22 Aug 2025Dare To Enter: Undefeated WBC Interim Champion Vergil Ortiz to Defend Super Welterweight Title From Number 1 Contender Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin
Fri, 22 Aug 2025Euri Cedeno Takes on Willie Jones on Friday, September 5th at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA
Fri, 22 Aug 2025COE AND HART CLASH ON BOOTS ENNIS CARD IN PHILADELPHIA
Thu, 21 Aug 2025‘There's nothing that he brings to the table that I've not got an answer for’ Sam Rennie on upcoming fight at Thunderdome 51
Thu, 21 Aug 2025JAMAINE "THE TECHNICIAN" ORTIZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul: Exhibition Bout Announced for November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 21 Aug 2025Legendary boxing coach John Brown Compares cornering Tommy Morrison & Rising young star Marco Romero
Thu, 21 Aug 2025World Kid to Host Meet-and-Greet and Open Workouts In advance of “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit
Thu, 21 Aug 2025