Philippines’ top pool players to skip SEA Games

Top Filipino pool players will not be competing in the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December. 

Filipino pool legend Francisco “Django” Bustamante confirmed the decision, explaining that Thailand’s decision to scrap the pool tournament in favor of the snooker tournament is the reason why the country’s top  cue artists will not go to Thailand.

“Kasi ang host ang Thailand. Ang Thailand ang laro nila, puro snooker. Inalis nila yung pool,” he said during the 2025 Reyes Cup.

“Wala silang panalo sa pool. Kasi sila yung panalo sa SEA Games, so kaya hindi kami pupunta roon,” Bustamante added. “Kaya yung pupunta lang roon yung mga snooker player natin.”

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ASIA STILL KING OF THE TABLE

With legend Django Bustamante at the helm, Team Asia—featuring MVP AJ Manas, Carlo Biado, Johann Chua, Aloysius Yapp, and Duong Quoc Hoang—defended the #ReyesCup title in solid fashion at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. | RM Chua/One Sports

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The country will not be sending pool players such as Pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, world champion Carlo Biado, 2021 SEA Games gold-medalist Johann Chua, as well as female stars such as Rubilen Amit and Chezka Centeno.

The Philippines has a had recent success in the SEA Games, beginning with Amit and Centeno, who captured the Women’s 10-Ball gold medals in 2021 and 2019, respectively.

The two Filipinas have also ruled the women’s 9-Ball event since 2015, with Centeno winning in 2015 and 2017, while Amit being victorious in the last two iterations in 2019 and 2021.

Also in 2021, Biado took home a gold medal in the men’s 10-Ball tournament, while Chua reigned supreme in the men’s 9-Ball category.

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