In the world of billiards, the name Efren "Bata" Reyes has long been associated with magic and otherworldly moves. But every now and then, there are young players, full of confidence – even arrogance – who think they can take down this immortal monument. Mech, a young American with a remarkable record in national tournaments, is a prime example. With a defiant look in his eyes and a clear smugness, Mech declared to the media that "the era of old wizards like Reyes is over", and that he would "teach Efren Reyes a lesson in modern billiards". But, what happened next, was a costly lesson – one that Mech will surely remember for the rest of his life.
The match was held at an international friendly tournament, where the audience came in large numbers to witness the confrontation between the "proud ego" and the "master of humility". From the very first minutes, Mech tried to dominate. He hit hard, fast and did not hesitate to make risky shots, as if to prove that the new modern style of play was the inevitable trend. The audience was initially somewhat amazed, because the confidence in each of Mech's movements was truly captivating. But for an experienced person like Efren Reyes, those were just the first winds of the season.
Reyes, with his leisurely demeanor and calm smile, was not shaken. He stepped up to the table with softness, moving as if he and the cue were one. And then, right in the first few shots, "Wizard" Reyes began to draw magical lines. The seemingly hopeless side-swings, the difficult shots that were so difficult to watch – all were executed by Reyes with astonishing smoothness and precision.
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Reyes’s third shot was the turning point of the match. Forced into an extremely difficult position – the cue ball was close to the bench, the object ball was hidden by two other balls – most young players would have chosen the safe option, or lost the turn. But Reyes, with extraordinary calculation, executed a three-swing – sending the cue ball on a complex journey across three side-swings, around the obstacle and precisely “kissing” the object ball, pocketing it perfectly. The crowd erupted. Mech, sitting in the waiting chair, could only watch in amazement – his initial confidence seemingly blown away in an instant.
In the games that followed, Reyes continued to demonstrate the pinnacle of skill that only the greatest players can achieve. Not only technique, but also strategy: Reyes read the situation at lightning speed, setting traps that Mech – because of being too impatient and subjective – continuously fell into. Mech had many opportunities to advance, but most of them were "trapped" by Reyes, causing him to make mistakes or reveal fatal flaws.
Mech began to get confused, each movement became hasty, his eyes gradually lost their inherent confidence. Meanwhile, Reyes remained calm as if he was playing a relaxing practice session. What made the audience admire was not only Reyes' technique, but also his attitude. Without any movements showing mockery or contempt for his opponent, Reyes only focused on playing the purest billiards, letting his skills speak for themselves.
In the final game, Reyes made a divine "kick shot" – sending the cue ball down the lane four times, hitting the target ball and ending the game beautifully. The audience seemed to explode. Mech could only sit there, head bowed, speechless. In that moment, everyone understood: this match was not simply a victory – it was a lesson in humility, in the fact that true skill does not come from youth or overconfidence, but is forged by time, experience and respect for the game.
After the match, Mech walked up to Reyes, bowed his head and shook his hand with a respect he had never shown before. In the post-match interview, Mech admitted: "I was too arrogant. I thought I knew everything, but Efren Reyes showed me that I was too young. This is the biggest lesson of my career."
As for Reyes? He just smiled kindly and said: "Everyone was young once, thinking they knew everything. What matters is what you learn after each match."
The story of Mech and Reyes quickly spread on social networks, becoming a living example for the young generation not only in billiards but also in life: confidence is necessary, but without humility and the ability to recognize one's own limits, it will become a double-edged sword. And on the road to the top, no one else but people like Efren Reyes - people with talent, humility and true class - are the beacons that light the way.
