AJ Manas

Albert James 'AJ' Manas is a professional pool player from the Philippines. Nicknamed Starboy, he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2025 Reyes Cup.

Career Manas started playing pool aged seven in Antipolo, Philippines. He counted Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamente as idols while growing up. In 2023, he won the Hanoi Junior Open and was a losing finalist at the TE Capital Nineball Open. He was selected to represent Asia in the 2025 Reyes Cup. Team Asia defeated Team Rest of World with Manas being named most valuable player (MVP). During the event, Manas defeated Fedor Gorst in a singles match, and helped secure the winning points in a doubles match with playing partner Carlo Biado. At the Philippines Open, Manas knocked out world champion Biado before suffering a defeat to Jayson Shaw in the quarter-finals.

In December 2025, Manas was victorious at the WWW International, overcoming William Johan in the final. The following month, he reached the final of the CTPBA Pro Tour finals, but lost in a final-frame decider to Ko Pin-yi.

Titles source: 2025 Break 88 Pool Club Nine-ball Tournament 2025 WWW International Nine-ball 2025 Reyes Cup (MVP) 2025 Reyes Cup 2024 99 Billiards Tournament Nine-ball 2023 Hanoi Junior Open Championship