At the age of 69, when many people are enjoying their old age, Efren "Bata" Reyes - the living legend of the world billiards - continues to amaze fans with his magical performances. And this time, he once again proved his timeless class when facing the SEA Games champion from Singapore, who is at the peak of his form, young, and full of desire to win. However, all expectations of a quick usurpation were extinguished by Reyes in the most impressive way.
The match was held within the framework of a Southeast Asian sports exchange event, attracting thousands of spectators and special attention from international media. When Efren Reyes entered the field, the whole audience exploded with cheers. He does not need much introduction: the name "The Magician" has been an icon in the hearts of billiards lovers for more than four decades. On the contrary, his opponent – the SEA Games champion – carried with him youth, confidence, and a strong belief that he would defeat this "old" man.
Right from the first shots, many people believed that Reyes would have a hard time. His physical strength declined with age, his reflexes were no longer as quick as before – these were factors that seemed to work against him. However, after only a few shots, Efren Reyes showed the world that: technique, sophistication, and top intelligence never fade with time.
With precise shots down to the millimeter, ball control with smooth ball runs, Reyes continuously forced his young opponent into a passive defensive position. Many times, the Singapore champion had to shake his head in disappointment when witnessing his unimaginable rescues – "kick shots" that touched the ice to save the ball from an unbelievable distance, "masse" shots that bent the ball that seemed to only exist in fairy tales.
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Every time Reyes successfully performed a magical move, the audience gasped in amazement. The endless applause seemed to acknowledge one thing: despite his age, true class is always eternal. There were times when viewers could not believe their eyes when witnessing Reyes perform a series of 3-4 consecutive shots at an extremely high level of difficulty, knocking down each ball with absolute calculation and control.
In contrast to Reyes' calm and composed demeanor, the Singaporean SEA Games champion became increasingly impatient and impatient. Mistakes and inaccurate decisions began to appear, as if he was under heavy pressure from the "aura" of the Philippine legend. Every small mistake was immediately punished without mercy by Reyes.
Not only impressing with his superb performances, Reyes also made everyone admire his dignified demeanor and exemplary sportsmanship. He always smiled kindly, never showing arrogance towards his opponents. It was his simplicity and sincerity that contributed to creating the image of a "Magician" who was not only talented but also full of noble qualities.
When the match ended, the scoreboard favored Efren Reyes in absolute admiration. The Singaporean SEA Games champion - who was expected to be the next to dominate the region - had to bow his head before the great master. He approached, shook hands and gave Reyes a respectful hug. It was not only an act of admitting defeat, but also a tribute to a living monument of the world billiards village.
The audience in the stadium stood up and applauded endlessly. Some people could not even hold back their tears, when witnessing the silver-haired man, with a slightly slow gait, but still playing with all his heart and timeless talent. For them, Efren Reyes is not just an athlete – he is a symbol of determination, of indomitability and of the eternal beauty of sport.
The media immediately reported on this historic victory. Major newspapers did not spare praise: "Efren Reyes – the miracle of billiards," "69 years old but still invincible," "A legend who never ages." Social networks were flooded with images of Reyes in the moment of victory, along with congratulations and praise from fans all over the world.
Many experts also expressed amazement at this performance. A famous former billiards player commented: "We can train physically, practice technique, but something like intelligence in each move, the ability to read the game like a master – that is genius. And Reyes is a true genius."
For his part, Efren Reyes remains humble as always. In the post-match interview, he simply said: "I just tried to play my best, like when I was younger. If I made everyone happy today, that's enough." That simple answer made people love him even more.
