FORMER world 9-ball and 10-ball champion Carlo Biado and former US Pool champion Jayson Shaw of Scotland were named as wild card bets to represent Team Asia and Team Europe, respectively, in the Efren Reyes Cup set from Oct. 15 to 18 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Matchroom Sport, which is promoting and organizing the team event patterned after the Mosconi Cup, announced the names of the two aces on its website yesterday for the competition named after the illustrious Efren “Bata” Reyes.

“I am honored to be selected for Team Asia,” Biado said in a statement. “I have great respect for Team Europe, but I believe in the strength and talent of Team Asia. Get ready for a historic battle.”

Biado will join compatriot and World Teams Championship partner Johann Chua (they won the event in 2022 with Rubilen Amit in Klagenfurt, Austria), Singaporean Aloysius Yapp and Taiwanese star Ko Pin-yi for Team Asia.

The skipper of Team Asia is no other than the celebrated Reyes, who is excited to head the continent’s best in the competition named in his honor.

“I’ve been waiting for this for so long. Ever since the founding of the Mosconi Cup, I’ve wanted something for Asia. Europe will have the edge because of their experience in that arena, but Asia has plenty of skills and talents to get the win,” Reyes said in a recent press conference to drum up the meet. 

“I’m also looking forward to a potential exhibition against fellow captain Karl Boyes.”

Being a five-time Mosconi Cup winner and two-time MVP of the tournament, Shaw, the 2017 US Pool champion, brings a wealth of experience to the table, and Boyes was delighted by his selection for the inaugural tourney.

“It was an easy decision to bring ‘Eagle Eye’ Shaw to Manila. He has the passion and fire for team events. We’ve all seen what he can do in the Mosconi Cup, and we’ll sse it again in the Reyes Cup. Shaw is a true team player,” the English skipper for Team Europe noted.

Boyes recalled that his own career virtually began in the Philippines.

“My 9-ball career started back in 2007 with Matchroom in the Philippines, so I know just how big the sport and this event is for the country. I’ve been lucky to be here many times in my career and I cannot wait to lead Team Europe as captain next month” he said. “It is going to be very special.”