With $50,000 added to the bank from a runner-up finish at the US Open Championship, Robbie Capito has been announced as the first member of the Asian team for the 2026 Reyes Cup.
After Capito’s semi-final win against Aleksa Pecelj, Matchroom Multi-Sport CEO Emily Frazer came to surprise the Hong Kong sharpshooter with the news.
The guaranteed prize money from the US Open propelled Hong Kong’s Capito past world number one Aloysius Yapp as the highest-ranked Asian player in the race to the Reyes Cup.
“It’s about time,” he said after receiving the good news from Frazer.
Capito was in the race for the first edition of the Reyes Cup after winning his first-ever major at the 2024 UK Open, but eventually missed the final line-up.
The top-ranked Asian slot is an honour considering the level of talent coming out of this continent. It is a long time coming, yet a well-deserved reward for the 25-year-old.
Capito, nicknamed ‘The Sniper’, has been one of the most consistent players on tour this year, a mainstay in the single elimination, making it deep in the European Open and the Arizona Open.
He is no stranger to the spotlight, taking down some living legends in Jayson Shaw and Fedor Gorst on multiple occasions.
Capito’s big break came in Frisco, Texas, at nine-ball pool’s biggest open major of the year, the US Open.
A dream run ended in a heartbreaking hill-hill against Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, but one Capito could look back on with pride.
Now, his full focus will be on the Reyes Cup and the fierce team battle to retain Asia’s bragging rights.
He will be joined by the reigning two-time world champion and Filipino top-ranked star, Carlo Biado, who is an important figure for Capito’s pool journey.
The Hong Kong star shared on his social media: “Proud and honoured to announce that I have been selected for the Reyes Cup Asia team as the top Asian player.
“To be named alongside Carlo Biado – my mentor, my father figure in this sport – makes this moment mean something far beyond just a selection. Carlo has shaped the way I see the game and the way I carry myself as a competitor. To stand beside him representing Asia is something I will never take for granted.”
Two ranked spots occupied. Three remaining, with two captain’s picks from Francisco ‘Django’ Bustamante and a wildcard from World Nineball Tour selectors.
Duong Quoc Hoang, Aloysius Yapp, last year’s MVP AJ Manas, Albert Januarta, Naoyuki Oi, the list goes on and on. Who will complete Asia’s all-star five?
