It’s official! The WNT Philippine Open is happening this October at Gateway Mall in Quezon City—marking the first time a Major World Nineball Tour ranking event will be held in the country!

Here’s why this is a massive moment for Philippine pool:

A huge stage for local talent
For decades, the Philippines has been hailed as one of the most talent-rich countries in the world when it comes to pool. In every barangay, pool hall, or corner shop with a table, you’ll find players with jaw-dropping skills—but most of them never get the chance to prove themselves beyond their local scene. Why? Lack of access. Cost of travel. No formal invite. Visa issues. The barriers are real. That’s why the WNT Philippine Open is a game-changer. It’s not just another tournament—it’s a rare opportunity for these unsung heroes to compete on equal footing, at home, without having to fly overseas.

World-class pool—live and free
Held in an open area of Gateway Mall, fans will likely have free access (or for a minimum fee) to watch elite international players face off against our very own local heroes. Imagine walking through the mall… and seeing a world champion playing right in front of you. It’s not just a treat for pool fans—it’s a golden opportunity to introduce the sport to a whole new audience, including kids and families, who might fall in love with it for the first time.

Win One for the Country
The Reyes Cup showed us just how passionate and electric the Filipino pool scene can be. But a tournament format brings something even more intense—raw competition, dramatic comebacks, fierce rivalries, rising stars, and the ultimate chance for one player to raise the trophy for the country.

With a packed hometown crowd behind them, the energy will be undeniable. You can almost hear the roar of the fans pushing our players to dig deeper, play harder, and chase that dream—not just of becoming the next local hero, but of eternally etching their name in history as the Philippine Open champion.

Matchroom’s commitment to the Philippines
With the Reyes Cup already scheduled in October and now the Philippine Open added, Matchroom is clearly investing in the local scene. It’s a smart move, too. The passion of Filipino fans is unmatched. The talent pool here runs deep. And the culture around billiards is unlike anywhere else in the world.

Is this Jaybee Sucal’s moment to shine?
There’s no reason for him to miss this chance. With the WNT Philippine Open open to all, this is the perfect opportunity for Jaybee to step up—no handicap, no excuses—and prove to fans and critics alike that he can hang with the best in the world and prove his doubters wrong.