West Edges Over Asia on Day 1 of Kings Cup
Nov 21, 2015
With his European teammates pulling for him, Shane Van Boening is starting to shine at the 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.
Never before have two teams been so stacked with skill and talent. The inaugural Resorts World Kings Cup will mark the first time Europe and USA join forces to face again the greatest players of the Asia with Philippines and Taiwan also joining forces for the very first time in history! European and American champions will go against Asia's champions on November 19th at Resorts World Manila in the inaugural Kings Cup! In what surely will become the most epic rivalry in cue sports, the pool world is about to get rocked in a war that fans have been dreaming about for years. Dragon Promotions is pleased to produce the Kings Cup, a three day contest to declare which side of the world boasts the strongest players, the East or the West. On November 19th-21st 2015, the world, as well as the players themselves, will find out! Four players on each side have been selected to represent their continent. The Kings Cup will be hosted by the award winning casino Resorts World Manila , produced by Dragon Promotions and aired on ABS-CBN Sports Channels for 12 hours of coverage and replays. The event will be played on the beautifully designed Rasson Table using Andy Cloth, Viking Cue, Cyclop Balls while the players will wear prestigious clothing made by FA Clothing Company. Puyat Sports, Pool & Billiard Magazine, and Billiards Digest are also co-sponsors.
Despite numerous road closings and massive gridlock traffic due to APEC, a packed house made their way to the inaugural East meets West where the world will find out which is the greatest team in the world. Kings Cup's Asia vs Europe/USA , The Real Rivalry starts November 19th. The Legend begins...
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.
"Little Ko" Ping Chung & Ko Pin Yi were crucial to keeping Asia in the mix.
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 2-2.
Appleton with a match he will likely want to forget by tomorrow
In 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.
Albin Ouschan was solid as a rock in his big team debut
The in-form West were delighted to take the 4-2 lead in Manila on Day 1.
Darren Appleton, inconspicuously taking the role of co-captain, had this to say, "4-2 is a good result but I think we play better tomorrow now we got the feel for the table. Chemistry is good and we all gel good together. Good trust in one another. A big turning point was when Busty (Bustamante) missed the 9-ball to go 4-1. And then Shane played great from there. Couple bad misses for them was key for us to lead 4-2.
Van Boening seemed like a fish in water with his European team of champions
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.
Pay Per View earlybird discounted special is now available on www.KingsCupPool.com for $24.95 for all 3 days, or $10 per day. Fans can watch live or the delayed telecast upto 24 hours after the event at their convenience.
All 8 champions have either been ranked #1 in the World, won a World Championship, or combination of both. No team event has ever had a field so deep in talent.
The exquisite Victory Table by Rasson Billiards is a perfect fit for this royal battle
Official Table: Rasson Billiards *
Official Cloth: Andy Cloth *Official Cue: Viking Cue * Official Balls: Cyclop. *Official Clothing: FA Clothing
Official Table Set-Up Partner: Puyat Sports
Shane Van Boening. Mika Immonen. Darren Appleton. Albin Ouschan. Four players who have all experienced winning international championships on big stages coming together against their equal counterparts in Asia's Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Ko Pin Yi, and Ko Ping Chung.
It's going to be a war to remember.
The format of the Kings Cup will follow in the footsteps of the successful Queens Cup. Teams will play in versatile styles including singles, doubles, triples, and quadruples each of the 3 days of the men's competition.
Follow the Kings Cup at www.facebook.com/kingscuppool and visit www.KingsCupPool.com for updates.
Fans and sponsors can e-mail dragonpromotionsnews1@gmail.com
Billiards is considered to be a national sport in the Philippines, and the atmosphere for national sports is always electric in Manila!
Impressions, a 5 star Award Winning French Restaurant with Master Chef of France Cyrille Soenen. The glamorous swimming pool and cabanas of Maxim Hotel.
The beautiful Atrium of Newport Mall will host the Kings Cup. Resorts World Manila is a symbol of luxury and prestige in Asia.
Dragon Promotions & Orlando Synergy are event organizing and marketing companies respectively. Visit www.dragonpromotions.com
For interest in marketing and branding your company, business, or events please contact Orlando Synergy at 1-407-782-4978 or email support@dragonpromotions.com
Dragon Promotions
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