Pool will not be part of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games after Thailand finalized a cue sports lineup featuring snooker only.
π΅π Francisco βDjangoβ Bustamante confirmed the news, saying the host nationβs billiards federation opted to include snooker only β effectively sidelining top Filipino pool stars like Efren βBataβ Reyes, Carlo Biado, and Johann Chua.
βWala tayong pool doon kasi puro snooker lang ang binigayβ¦ Kaya walang pupuntang pool player doon,β Django said.
The impact is huge. For decades, the Philippines has dominated SEA Games pool β from 8-ball to 9-ball to 10-ball.
ππππ ππ ππππ ππππππ (ππππ)
- 2021: Carlo Biado β Menβs 10-Ball
- 2021: Johann Chua β Menβs 9-Ball
- 2015 & 2017: Chezka Centeno β Womenβs 9-Ball
- 2019 & 2021: Rubilen Amit β Womenβs 9-Ball
- Centeno & Amit also split the last two Womenβs 10-Ball titles, facing each other in both finals.
With pool removed, only snooker remains β a discipline far outside the primary focus of most Filipino cue artists.
ππππππ ππ ππππππ (πππππππ)
- 2019: Menβs Doubles β Silver
- 2021: Jeffrey Roda β 6-Red Singles β Silver