In a breathtaking match that was likened to a battle of two generations – living legend Efren “Bata” Reyes faced off against talented Taiwanese champion Ko Pin Yi – the entire billiards world held its breath watching every shot, every strategy, every moment that left viewers unable to take their eyes off. On one side was the veteran master nicknamed “The Magician”, who has captivated millions of hearts for more than two decades with his seemingly impossible shots.
On the other side was “Wonderful” Ko Pin Yi – a bright face of the younger generation, a former 9-ball and 10-ball world champion, known for his modern, incredibly precise technique. And when these two stars faced off, the only thing fans could expect – was a miracle.
From the very first minutes, the atmosphere in the stadium seemed to be absorbed by the artistic performance on the table. Ko Pin Yi quickly showed impressive form with neat, razor-sharp strokes. He led 3-0, causing many to wonder if Reyes' "magic" was still effective with age gradually weighing on his shoulders?
However, true to the calm, quiet personality of a legend, Reyes was not shaken. At the fourth rack, he created an unimaginable situation when clearing the table from an extremely complicated ball position.
A bank shot into the corner that perhaps only players of the highest level would dare to think of, Reyes made the whole audience explode. The audience stood up, many cheered as if they were witnessing a miracle. And indeed, that was the beginning of a comeback that no one could have predicted.
Reyes began to accelerate. He showed the composure of a warrior who had experienced thousands of battles. His meticulous, millimeter-calculated shots were coordinated with top-notch experience. Gradually, he leveled the score.
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Ko Pin Yi still played excellently, but towards the end of the match, the pressure from the madness in Reyes' shots made it impossible for him to maintain his usual coolness. A slight slip at the 9th rack gave Reyes the opportunity to take the lead - something that almost no one expected at the beginning of the match.
However, what made the match so thrilling was not only the technical shots. It was also the psychological factor - an invisible weapon that Reyes seemed to completely master. While Ko Pin Yi began to worry, showing it through his eyes and gestures, Reyes smiled gently as if he was playing a game of billiards in his backyard. The moment he tapped the cue stick lightly on the table after executing an unbelievable trick shot to send the white ball past two blocking balls - that was the moment the whole world realized: "The Magician" still had magic.
The score was now 6-6. Only one last rack would decide everything. The atmosphere was deathly silent. The audience held their breath, no one dared to make a sound. Ko Pin Yi won the break and made a powerful opening shot, pocketing one ball. However, the next situation was not favorable. An unstable shot caused the white ball to not be in the right position – creating an opportunity for Reyes to step into the table.
And then, the ending took place like a movie directed by the myth itself. Reyes, with magical spin shots, pocketed each ball smoothly, rhythmically like a jazz music playing in the sky. The situation of the 8 ball being blocked by two other balls seemed impossible, but Reyes made an artistic swerve, making the white ball gently curve around the barrier and send the 8 ball into the corner of the table to the roar of the audience. The match ended with an absolutely accurate shot to the 9 ball, and immediately – the stadium exploded.
Ko Pin Yi stepped away from the table, bowed his head to congratulate his senior. He was not sad – but admired. "I lost to a legend," he said after the match. "I thought I understood billiards, but today, I learned that I was only at the foot of the mountain. He - Reyes - is the definition of greatness."
This match was not just a victory, it was a declaration. That billiards is not just about technique, but also art, emotion, and above all - a celebration of human intelligence. Reyes, at over 60 years old, still proved that class and experience can overcome youth. The battle with Ko Pin Yi will forever be remembered as a symbol of the best that billiards can bring.
Experts called this "one of the greatest matches in the history of modern billiards". The global online community was flooded with praise. Videos recording the moment Reyes performed the "unbelievable" shot reached millions of views in just a few hours. And once again, the name Efren “Bata” Reyes – already a legend – continues to be engraved deeper into the hearts of billiard lovers around the world.
