Francisco “Django” Bustamante to serve as captain for Team Asia in Reyes Cup title defense

Call him captain “Django.”

Pinoy pool legend Francisco “Django” Bustamante will serve as captain of Team Asia in their quest for back-to-back titles against Team Rest of the World in this year’s Reyes Cup.

Bustamante now steps into a familiar role, following the path blazed by his longtime friend and fellow billiards icon Efren “Bata” Reyes, who led the squad to a victory in the inaugural staging last year. 

[ALSO READ: Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp delivers as Team Asia captures inaugural Reyes Cup crown]

It’s also a fitting honor for the 2010 world nine-ball champion, who last year entertained fans in an exhibition match against American icon and commentator Jeremy Jones during the tournament’s inaugural staging.

[ALSO READ: Filipino pool legend Django Bustamante sees resurgence of billiards in Philippines]

This time, Bustamante won’t just be a showman—he’ll be the one in front of loaded Team Asia lineup featuring two-time world nine-ball champion Carlo Biado and former Hanoi Open titlist Johann Chua. 

[ALSO READ: Carlo Biado, Johann Chua spearhead local bets in Philippines Open]

World Cup of Pool winner James Aranas, along with rising stars Bernie Regalario and Anton Raga, are also expected to bolster the squad as they take on the world No. 1 Fedor Gorst-led Team Rest of the World.

Expected to play alongside Fedor are former world champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain, seven-time Mosconi Cup winner Jayson Shaw of the United Kingdom, David Alcaide of Spain, Duong Quoc Hoang of Vietnam, and Mickey Krause of Denmark.

The 2025 Reyes Cup is scheduled for Oct. 16–19 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

[ALSO READ: Team Asia to defend Reyes Cup crown against newly-formed global powerhouse]

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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.

Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.