The venue is part of what makes this such a special event. Hosted in the atrium of the massive Gateway Mall in Quezon City, the setting and crowd are unlike those at any other pool tournament.
The bustling energy characteristic of the huge malls found across Filipino cities truly defines the tournament.
A Stacked 128-Player Field
The Roobet Philippines Open Championship follows a single-elimination race-to-10 format. That means the first player to reach 10 racks wins, and there are no second chances: lose a match and you are out.
The field features 128 players from 23 countries, including 74 from the Philippines. Big names from the host country, such as Francisco “Django” Bustamante, AJ “Starboy” Manas and Carlo “Black Tiger” Biado, all of whom represented Team Asia at the Roobet Reyes Cup last week, are playing at the Open.
Lesser-known Filipinos are also seeking glory, including Raphael Dabreo, Genesis Ouano and Chezka Centeno.
Superstars from around the world have made the journey to Quezon City too. Inaugural Philippines Open champion David “El Matador” Alcaide has returned to Gateway Mall in an effort to defend his title. Spanish sharpshooter Francisco “El Ferrari” Sánchez Ruiz, two-time world champion Fedor “The Ghost” Gorst and German legend Ralf “The Kaiser” Souquet are also playing.
All four tables are being streamed live on WNT TV, and Table One will be shown by partners across Europe, Asia and Oceania. This year’s tournament is taking place with the support of title sponsor Roobet, the online crypto casino, which is bringing the sport to its huge online community across the globe.
Fresh From the Roobet Reyes Cup
The Roobet Philippines Open Pool Championship is taking place right off the back of the Roobet Reyes Cup, which pitted five players from Team Asia against five from Team Rest of the World (ROW).
In a major upset for the crowd at the Makati Coliseum in Manila, Team ROW took home the trophy for the first time in the tournament’s history, winning 11-4. Francisco “El Ferrari” Sánchez Ruiz was deservedly named MVP after a standout performance at the tournament, hardly losing a rack across the four days.
Pool fans tuning in to the Philippines Open will surely count some of Team ROW’s standout performers among their favourites to take home the Open title.
Players to Watch in Quezon City
Who should be on fans’ radar at the Roobet Philippines Open Pool Championship? The depth of talent on show in Quezon City is deeply impressive, but obvious choices include David Alcaide, the winner of last year’s title, and the runner-up Arseni Sevastyanov, who was spotted in the crowd soaking up the energy at the Roobet Reyes Cup the week before.
Filipino Johann “Bad Koi” Chua and current world champion Carlo Biado should be watched closely, as should fellow countryman pool legend Francisco Bustamante. Bustamante may be getting old, but his experience and the support of the home crowd could propel him to victory.
Current world number one Aloysius Yapp had a great season in 2025 but has taken his foot off the gas this year. Can he rediscover his form and secure the win in Quezon City?
Last but not least, Moritz Neuhausen, the winner of the Roobet European Open Pool Championship back in March is in with a good chance, and so is Aleksa Pecelj, the Bosnian who put in a fine performance at his debut Roobet Reyes Cup last week.
Who Will Take Home the Title?
The second Roobet Philippines Open Pool Championship is underway. Will the big WNT names dominate? Will David Alcaide make it two in a row? Or will a little known Filipino player shoot their way to glory?
No one knows, but with Roobet and the WNT bringing the energy, the tournament is sure to deliver plenty of excitement.
