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Philippines, 24 Jan 2026 |
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TEAM ASIA GETS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD AND HIS BROTHER FOR KINGS CUP SHOWDOWN By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Tue, 13 Oct 2015  Team Asia captained by Efren "Bata" Reyes and supported by his bosom buddy Francisco "Django" Bustamante has just added the best player in the world Ko Pin Yi and his brother Ko Ping Chung to the line up for what promises to be an epic battle against the US-Europe combine in the inaugural staging of the Kings Cup from November 19-21 at the Resorts World in Manila. The inclusion of the two Chinese-Taipei hotshots will mark the first time that the two greatest rivals in pool - the Philippines and Chinese-Taipei will be on the same team in the classic East vs West rivalry. Dragon Promotions which is producing the Kings Cup said the inclusion the reigning double world champion and his younger brother "finalize the greatest Asian team ever assembled in history and in one month, we'll find out if it's the greatest team in the world." World No. 1 Ko Pin Yi said "I am very happy and honored to join Team Asia. Especially due to the fact that this is a first time battle, I believe that it makes everything even more exciting! With the tournament being arranged in the Philippines, I know there are many pool sports fans. I am always touched by their friendliness and support." Having won his second World Championship within the same calendar year is a feat less than a handful have been able to do in modern memory. Ko Pin Yi won just weeks ago at the World 9-Ball Championship in Qatar, and then won the World 10-Ball in the Philippines earlier in the year." In his teens, he also won the World Junior Championships in Germany and the United States, giving him the distinction of being the only 4 time World Champion who has won in 4 different countries and 3 different continents. The skipper of the Europe-US team Mika "The Iceman" Immonen said "I'm happy to hear Ko Pin Yi is on Team East. You got to have the current best playing pro in the world in the Kings Cup." Bustamante said "Ko is a really good pool player, and good person. Though we may speak a different language, I know that it won't hinder the team's performance. Having Ko in the team, who is now the World Champion for 9-Ball and 10-Ball, is really a big advantage for us." Ko Pin Yi recalled that "When I told other players that I will join Team Asia in the Kings Cup, and our captain is Efren Reyes, they all said ?wow. How lucky you are! And yes, I also can feel that they envy my good luck. In Taiwan, Efren Reyes is a legend, we really like him very much. I like to watch Efren and Bustamante on Youtube because their bank shot skills are amazing. So I really appreciated the invitation to play with both Filipino champions!" Photo: Taiwan's Ko Ping Yi won the World 10-Ball Championship last February in General Santos City. Photo by Dong Secuya. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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