MANILA — Only four pool players remain in the inaugural Philippines Open, none of them hometown representatives.
World No. 17 Jayson Shaw booked a spot in the semifinals, after knocking out Filipino teen prodigy AJ Manas, 11-3, on Friday at the Gateway Mall 2, Cubao, Quezon City.
Shaw channeled his experience to rally back from 3-0, winning 11 straight racks.
Manas could not sustain his early momentum, committing crucial mistakes in the final goings of the match, wherein Shaw took advantage.
"I've been there before, it was a couple matches I played, I was down 2-0, 3-0 and I know I'm gonna get a chance unless he runs the set. So I just tried to stay positive," Shaw told reporters after the match.
"I knew when I get a chance, I'm playing good enough to do what he did to me in the start. I just stayed calm and reminded myself I can do the same and probably a little bit more," he added.
Django Bustamante beats world no. 1 Fedor Gorst in Philippines Open
The former US Open Champion said his experience helped him prevail over the younger Manas, who he also faced during the 2025 Reyes Cup.
"He didn't do too much wrong, you know. He had some good safeties, he kicked a couple of times, and I felt like my experience there in the middle of the game pushed me out in the right areas," he said.
"He’s going to be a world champion one day, maybe in the next few years, but he’s got a bright future so I was wish him well," Shaw shared.
Shaw will face another young gun Arseni Sevastyanov in the semifinals on Saturday.
"I'm here to win. That's the goal to win the tournament. Hopefully I can play like that tomorrow. If I can play like that I don't see anybody stopping me," he said.
Sevastyanov, who was feeling confident after the win, said he thrives when playing in front of an energetic crowd like in the Philippines.
"I enjoyed playing with them, against Filipino players in Philippines home country with the crowd in mall where there's a lot of people watching. I feel good when I play, when I feel good I play my best," he said.
Team Asia dominates Team Rest of the World to retain Reyes Cup title
Meantime, World No. 13 David Alcaide beat Filipino pool player Jeffrey Legaspi, 11-7, to advance to the semifinals of the tournament.
Legaspi was the last Filipino representative still competing after the Manas exit.
"We missed three or four times. I tried to stay focused and not lose my confidence. I'm lucky he missed and I got my chance," Alcaide said.
The former World Pool Master Champion will take on Hong Kong's Robbie Capito.
"I know Robbie. He's a champion. I need to give my 100 percent. And also if I have luck, he also don't play 100 percent," Alcaide said.
As for Capito, who was born to Filipino parents, he said his mindset is to take things one rack at a time.
"I'm not thinking of the matchup, I'm just trying to play my best. I'm playing well now, I went to the semifinals in the last major in Hanoi. I just have to get two steps better than last time," he said.
Capito said he feels like he has a home court advantage, especially with his relatives in attendance.
"The crowd is amazing. I'm glad to be welcomed by the Filipino people. So I feel welcome here. I'm still Filipino in my heart. I hope to make them [my family] proud," he said.
Shaw, Sevastyanov, Alcaide, Capito will battle for the inaugural Philippines Open crown in the same venue on Saturday.