No one in the audience could take their eyes off the table that day. No one sat still in their seats. Every shot, every ball from Efren “Bata” Reyes mesmerized the audience, making the atmosphere in the stadium as hot as fire. That day was not just a normal 9-ball match – it was a historic moment, a place to witness the sublimation of a living legend, a “Magician” of billiards, who had done something the whole world could not believe.
That match – later known as “The Legend of the Unbelievable Shot” – was one of the most outstanding matches in Reyes’ brilliant career. A semi-final match at a prestigious tournament, where his opponent was an extremely excellent American player, young, full of confidence and strength. Experts at that time believed that this match would be very difficult for Reyes. Many even thought that he would have to stop. But then, like a smoldering fire, the magic of Reyes' cue began to rise.
From the first minutes, the audience saw a tense match. The American opponent played extremely steadily, scored points regularly, and seemed to be in control of the game. Reyes was different – ​​he started slowly, seemed to be probing his opponent, like a lion quietly preparing to attack. And when the moment came, "The Magician" began to unleash technical performances that made the whole audience explode.
One of the most memorable situations was when Reyes faced a seemingly complete deadlock: the white ball was pushed to a corner, the target ball was close to the edge of the table, there was no straight line to hit. But with the eyes of a genius and the hands of a magician, Reyes executed a shot with exquisite spin, the white ball flew through three cushions and approached the target ball from behind, scoring a point to the audience's amazed screams.
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Could not take his eyes off. People stood up, holding their heads, some even couldn't believe their eyes. The commentator shouted: "How did he DO THAT?!"
Reyes's cool composure, sharp tactics, and perfect ball control gradually changed the situation. He not only caught up with the score, but also overcame his opponent's panic. The American, who had always been very confident, began to lose his rhythm. And like a storm, Reyes swept the table with his delicate, smooth ball handling like a painting.
But what made this match legendary was not just the technique - it was the "soul" that Reyes put into each shot. Each of his touches seemed to tell a story. It was not a simple duel, but a symphony, a poem, a performance by a master artist.
There was one unforgettable moment: when Reyes was leading, he encountered a “half-win, half-no-win” shot. The whole audience held their breath. Instead of choosing the safe option, he chose a risky shot. And then – boom! – the white ball traveled a long distance, skimmed the two blocking balls, and hit at the ideal angle to put the target ball in the pocket. The audience went crazy. They stood up and applauded nonstop. The commentator lost his professionalism and shouted: “That’s why he’s the best in the world!”
The match ended with Reyes winning – a victory not only in terms of score but also in terms of art, in terms of soul, and in terms of the way a simple Filipino man captivated millions of hearts around the world. His American opponent came up to shake his hand, his eyes no longer showing disappointment, but absolute admiration.
The next day, international media was filled with praise headlines:
“Efren Reyes – The Wizard of 9-Ball!”
“A Masterclass in Pool: Reyes Sets the Table on Fire!”
“They Couldn’t Take Their Eyes Off Him – And Neither Could We.”
A series of technical analyses of the match were posted, with experts explaining each shot as if dissecting a work of art. Billiards forums exploded with debate and praise. The clip of the match went viral on YouTube and TikTok, with millions of views in just a few days. An international fan even wrote: “I never loved this sport, until I saw that match of Reyes.”
For fans, that match became legendary, undeniable proof that Efren “Bata” Reyes was not just a player – but an icon, a genius, a man who raised billiards to the level of art.
That match may have passed with time, but what Reyes did on the table that day will live forever – in the hearts of those who love billiards, and in the history of world sports.
