Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer is eyeing a possible “WNT Next Generation” event that would spotlight rising young talents, led by AJ Manas and Jaybee Sucal.
Fresh off the success of the WNT Legends showcase, Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer is already looking ahead with the next wave of stars in mind.
Frazer revealed plans for a potential “WNT Next Generation” event, inspired by the energy and nostalgia generated by the Legends tournament, which featured Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante.
This time, it will be designed to spotlight emerging talents from around the world, including young Filipino standouts.
“I always think that the sky’s the limit with our events,” Frazer told reporters. “The brilliant thing about the World 9 Ball Tour is that we can be creative. Watching this event has kind of set the scene for maybe like a younger generation style of event.”
At the center of that vision are rising Filipino cue artists AJ Manas and Jaybee Sucal, both regarded as part of the country’s new wave of international-level competitors.
[ALSO READ: Who is AJ Manas? Meet the 18-year-old cue artist seen as the future of Philippine billiards]
Manas has steadily built a reputation for his composure and shot-making against veteran opposition, notably during the 2025 Reyes Cup, where he took home MVP honors.
Meanwhile, Sucal has gained attention for his fearless style on social media, before emerging as quite a favorite among pool fans during the Philippine Open.
“Now, I want—this is what I want—and I always make it happen,” Frazer said. “Instead of the Legends event, we call it WNT Next Generation. We get AJ Manas, Jaybee Sucal on one team, then we bring in two other young players from Europe or the rest of the world.”
“Let’s get them in a three-day format, playing a race to 11 and see who the victor is,” she added. “There could still be a Legends game, but there could also be a younger generation. I would love to see that happen,” she added.
Beyond the format, Frazer emphasized the broader impact of WNT Legends and how it reignited passion for the sport across age groups.
“I think anyone watching WNT Legends is going, ‘I want to pick up my cue,’” she said. “That’s what’s so brilliant about this sport—it’s motivating and inspirational. It could be a younger player saying, ‘I want to join the tour,’ or an older player saying, ‘I want to get back out there.’”
[ALSO READ: Django, Efren cherish playing with fellow billiard icons at WNT Legends stage]
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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.