Django Bustamante lauds rising star AJ Manas: ‘That kid will become a world champion’

Filipino pool legend Francisco “Django” Bustamante believes that the Philippines’ reign in world pool will continue courtesy of rising star AJ Manas.

The 19-year-old Manas joins fellow Filipino pool players Carlo Biado and Johann Chua as well as Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp and Vietnam’s Duong Quoc Hoang to defend Team Asia’s Reyes Cup title at home.

Bustamante, who will lead the Asian contingent as the non-playing team captain, revealed that he was the one who tapped Manas to participate in this year’s tournament, despite fans voicing their concerns that the rising star was not yet ready.

“I was the one who picked him,” said Bustamante. “I have trust in AJ because I would not get him if I have no trust in him,” Bustamante said in a press conference on Wednesday.

“The time will come, mark my words, that kid will become a world champion,” he added.

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POOL LEGENDS IN MANILA FOR REYES CUP

Pinoy pool icon Francisco “Django” Bustamante, two-time World Pool Champion Carlo Biado, AJ Manas are in defending champs Team Asia.

Former US Open Champion Jeremy Jones, World No. 1 Feder Gorst, Jayson Shaw are in Team Rest of the World. pic.twitter.com/E6QnbYpdYb

— Paige Javier (@PaigeJavier) October 15, 2025

Manas was the replacement in last year’s tournament for Team Asia, who trumped Team Europe 11-6 to hoist the inaugural trophy.

World-ranked No. 1 Fedor Gorst will return this year, this time, for Team Rest of the World, alongside Germany’s Moritz Neuhausen, the United Kingdom’s Jayson Shaw, the USA’s Skyler Woodward, and Spain’s Francisco Sanchez Ruiz.

Bustamante remained confident of Team Asia’s chances due to the Filipinos’ homecourt advantage but said confident that the best team will win at the end.

“Our only advantage is that the event is held here in our country, so our fans will support Team Asia. Whoever shoots well will win,” said Bustamante.

The Reyes Cup will be held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and is slated to start on Thursday, Oct. 16 until  Sunday, Oct. 19.

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