West Take 4-2 Lead Over Asia on Day 1 of Kings Cup
Photos by Jamil Buergo
Manila, Philippines- The long anticipated Kings Cup started in a see-saw battle with both Asia and the West trading matches. But at the end of the day, it was Team West taking the mini-win for the day.
In the first 4-on-4, Team West seemed to fit in tandem right away with the 3 Europeans and lone American. Efren won the lag, and selected World #1 Ko Pin Yi to break, but he came up dry. Team West played a perfect runout to start the Kings Cup. They won the first match 5-2 with all matches racing to 5 and playing 10-Ball.
But it was the Ko brothers this time easily dismantling Mika Immonen and Shane Van Boening with a right back at ya 5-2 score.
Next came the premiere of Albin Ouschan, the Europe #1 alongside veteran champion Appleton. They were the underdogs against legendary duo of Reyes and Bustamante, but they played like the favorites. Reyes missed open shots in key games. West took the match in an easy 5-2.
The reigning World 10-Ball Champion Ko Pin Yi faced former World 10-Ball Champion Darren Appleton. Captain Reyes selection of Ko paid off in a 5-0 trouncing of Appleton. Asia levels with West 2-2In a re-match of the Japan quarter-finals last week, Van Boening faced his hero Bustamante. Django took over right away and was up 3-1 as he took on a simple 9-ball shot. Asia looked like it may take its first lead of the Kings Cup, until Bustamante missed. The energized Van Boening came back to lead and eventually at 4-4 hill hill, outmanuevered Django to win a crucial point for the West. Team West back on top 3-2.
In the final match of the day, the Triples, Reyes elected himself to play with the 2 Taiwanese champs. Captain Immonen also placed himself in this match with Ouschan and Van Boening.
Reyes again faltered on makeable shots and the Ko’s were not able to sustain backup. Mika’s triplets won 5-3.
About his new teammates he had this to say, “Shane looks more happy playing with us Euros …and we overly happy he is on our side. He helped us a lot on breaking the balls . Albin has a great debut on international team event .100% record tonight, he played solid. We win tomorrow’s session and we in great shape . For me and Mika, just two old guys just chipping in when needed” he ended with a wink.
ABS-CBN Sports, one of the premiere TV networks in Asia, will be airing the inaugural Kings Cup November 20th-22nd, 2015. This will be the 7th consecutive year in a row Dragon Promotions & ABS-CBN have been cooperated.
The TV airing schedule:
Nov. 20, Friday at 10:30 pm – 2:30 am – replay on Nov. 23, Monday at 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Nov. 21, Saturday at 10:30 pm – 2:30 am – replay on Nov. 24, Tuesday at 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Nov. 22, Sunday at 10:30 pm – 2:30 am – replay on Nov. 26, Thursday at 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The Live Stream schedule:
Nov. 19th-21st from 6:00pm-10:00pm Manila Time & 5:00am-9:00am USA EST.