REST AND CHICKEN RICE FOR HERO YAPP

Pool star returns for a break, after hectic 10 months and helping Asia retain Reyes Cup

- David Lee Senior Sports Correspondent

Having been away from home for eight out of 10 months in 2025 to compete in Vietnam, Bosnia, Taiwan, England, Indonesia, the US and China, Aloysius Yapp was feeling burnt out as he had a similarly hectic 2024.

But, just as winning the inaugural Reyes Cup with Team Asia in the Philippines in 2024 helped him turn a corner and unlock his winning streak, Singapore's top pool player is hoping that retaining the Reyes Cup on Oct 19 will provide him with another timely boost.

The 29-year-old told The Straits Times: "It definitely feels sweet to win it back-to-back for (Filipino pool legend) Efren Reyes and our captain Francisco Bustamante.

"After all the travelling, I am quite burnt out. But this tournament gave me a bit more energy and spirit to play again.

"Last year, they gave me pep talks to give me more belief and help me enjoy playing the game more, and it's similar this year.

"With the format, I had teammates pushing and motivating me. We all had quite a bit of fun in competition and in practice, and it kind of lifted the pressure off me a bit."