World Nineball Tour Legends to Feature Pool Greats Reyes, Bustamante, Strickland, and Souquet in Manila

MANILA — The World Nineball Tour (WNT) Legends event is set to take place from January 22 to 24, 2026, bringing together four of the most celebrated figures in professional pool history. Filipino champions Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante will join American Earl “The Pearl” Strickland and German Ralf “The Kaiser” Souquet in what promises to be a memorable tribute to the sport’s global impact.

Reyes expressed his enthusiasm saying, "I never expected something like this to happen at this stage of my career. To play again in front of the Filipino fans, with my friends and rivals from all over the world, is very special. This event will be full of memories — old ones and new ones — and I'm excited to be part of it."

Bustamante, the 2010 World 9-Ball champion, highlighted Manila’s significance in his career, commenting, "To compete in an event that celebrates our history, our battles, and what we’ve brought to the sport — it’s an honor. The fans will love this. It will feel like the old days again."

Strickland, with over 100 tournament victories and three world titles under his belt, is eager to rekindle legendary rivalries. "I’ve played these guys for decades, and every match has a story. This is a chance to show the world what real legends look like — the intensity, the skill, the personality," he remarked. Strickland was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2006.

Souquet, a multiple-time European and world pool champion, also voiced his excitement. "The four of us have shared so many incredible moments in this sport, and to reunite for an event of this magnitude is something truly unique. I’m grateful for the invitation and excited to compete once again at the highest level, in front of fans who appreciate the history of the game," said the German star.

The tournament, organized in partnership with Puyat Sports, will be broadcast live across the Philippines via One Sports and the Pilipinas Live App, with international streaming available on WNT TV. Further details regarding the venue, tournament format, ticketing, and pay-per-view access will be disclosed shortly.

Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, founder of Puyat Sports, called the event "a proud moment for Philippine billiards. To host an event that brings together these legendary champions is something fans here have dreamed of for many years. Efren and Django are icons in our country, and Earl and Ralf are giants of the global game. WNT Legends will be a celebration of history, respect, and the magic of pool — all happening right here in Manila."