Bata, Django banner Team East vs Immonen-led Team West in Kings Cup

MANILA, Philippines -- Efren “Bata” Reyes and Django Bustamante, considered as among the greatest cue artists of all time, will try to defend homecourt when they lead Team East against Team West, skippered by the Iceman Mika Immonen of Finland in the inaugural Kings Cup starting Thursday in Resorts World Manila.

Other members of Team East include world ranked no. 1 Ko Pin Yi, who has won the World 9-ball and 10-ball Championships and the World Cup of Pool this year and his brother Ko Ping Chung. 

Reyes, Bustamante and the Taiwanese brothers are going to set aside their rivalry in the Asian pool circuit in this tournament that will run up to Nov. 21. 

On the other hand, Team West will be bannered by some of the best players of the United States and Europe. Backstopping Immonen are Shane Van Boening of the United States, Darren Appleton of England, who won the World 10-ball Championship in Manila last 2008, and Albin Ouschan of Austria, brother of female professional billiard player Jasmin who has a fan following in the Philippines.

The format of the Kings Cup will follow that of the successful Queens Cup.

Teams will be playing in versatile styles including singles, doubles, triples, and quadruples in each of the three days of the tournament produced by Dragons Promotions and will be televised over ABS-CBN

Sports.

For more details, log on to the tournament's official website at www.kingscuppool.com.