It was a dramatic opening day in Manila as 🇻🇳 Duong Quoc Hoang suffered a heartbreaking hill-hill defeat to 🇵🇭 Eric Navarrete. Duong, who recently lifted the Reyes Cup, mounted a comeback from 3–8 down but missed the deciding 9-ball, allowing Navarrete to seal the upset victory.

Duong said afterward:

“Losing hill-hill always hurts, but that’s pool. I gave it everything, but it just wasn’t meant to be. The crowd here was amazing — the atmosphere in Manila is unbelievable.”

The single-elimination format proved unforgiving, with early exits for 🇵🇭 Lee Vann Corteza, 🇵🇭 Dennis Orcollo, and 🇺🇸 Billy Thorpe.

Meanwhile, 🇺🇸 Fedor Gorst opened his campaign in commanding form, sweeping 🇵🇭 Billy Jay Garcia to reach the Last 64. A possible matchup with 🇵🇭 Francisco “Django” Bustamante looms, depending on tomorrow’s results.

Gorst shared:

“It’s my first time playing in a mall setting like this — the atmosphere is unreal. The fans here really love pool. Hopefully, Django wins tomorrow — I’d love a rematch.”

🇪🇸 Francisco Sánchez Ruiz also impressed, delivering a flawless 10–0 win over 🇵🇭 Edmar Cristobal Balboa — a statement comeback after a tough Reyes Cup run.

🇩🇪 Moritz Neuhausen narrowly escaped a collapse after nearly losing an 8–0 lead, eventually edging 🇵🇭 John Albert Refulle 10–7 to advance.

Neuhausen reflected:

“The pressure is intense in single elimination. One mistake and you’re out. The crowd made it feel like a final.”

Day 2 will feature some of the Philippines’ biggest names, including 🇵🇭 AJ Manas, 🇵🇭 Francisco Bustamante, and the legendary 🇵🇭 Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes, as action continues at Gateway Mall.