At only 18, AJ Manas is quickly taking over as the future of Philippine billiards thanks his stellar run for Team Asia in the Reyes Cup 2025.
At just 18 years old, AJ Manas is proving that the future of Philippine billiards is already here.
The youngest member of Team Asia in the 2025 Reyes Cup, Manas has turned heads on the global stage not just for the composure that's beyond his years, but for the statement wins that have put him in the conversation as the next big thing in a long line of Filipino billiards greats.
From billiards prodigy to international contender
Born and raised in the Philippines, Manas’ introduction to billiards came at an early age, watching his idols Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante dominate the global stage.
What began as a hobby then quickly turned into a calling.
Manas honed his craft at local pool halls, joining junior tournaments where his natural feel for the game and calm under pressure set him apart.
By his mid-teens, Manas had already started making noise in the national scene, collecting junior titles and representing the country in regional events.
His combination of precision shot-making, aggressive offense, and mature table strategy made him one of the most promising young players to come out of the Philippines in years.
It also helped that Manas was quite popular on social media for his billiards page, leveraging the technology to further his reach even at a young age relative to his competition.
First big break
The Reyes Cup 2025 was Manas’ first major stage as part of Team Asia, selected for the group by Django himself.
"Nung binigyan ako ng wildcard pick ng Matchroom, sinabi ko talaga na kukunin ko si AJ Manas kasi nagagalingan ako sa kanya," said Bustamante.
"Team Philippines din siya at nakikita ko yung tira niya 'pag nagpa-practice kami kaya ang sabi ko siya ang kukunin ko kasi siya ang future world champion natin na parating."
Bustamante's choice was quickly proven right as Manas wasted no time showing out for Team Asia, which include reigning 9-ball world champion Carlo Biado and US Open champion Aloysius Yapp.
Facing off against the world’s best, the 18-year-old thrived under pressure, delivering one of the most memorable moments of the tournament so far.
In a tense singles showdown, Manas stunned world No. 1 Fedor Gorst with a 5-4 victory.
After trading frames early, the Filipino teenager took control, racing to a 4-2 lead before Gorst tied it at 4-all.
But in the ninth and final rack, a foul by Gorst handed Manas a golden opportunity. He capitalized with clinical precision, sealing the upset and extending Team Asia’s overall lead to 6-0.
It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. Against a player many consider the best in the world, Manas proved that skill, poise, and patience could triumph over experience.
These performances have quickly made him a fan favorite — not just in the Philippines, but across the Asian billiards community.
It has also cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
What next for AJ?
Still at the beginning of his professional journey, Manas represents the next generation of Filipino cue artists.
While legends like Reyes and Bustamante, and active stars like Biado and Johann Chua paved the way, Manas is carving a new chapter, ready to compete in bigger tournaments.
And if his Reyes Cup debut is any indication, the future of Philippine billiards is truly in good hands.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.