In the world of billiards, no confrontation has left a deeper impression than the dramatic encounters between two legends – Efren “Bata” Reyes of the Philippines and Earl “The Pearl” Strickland of the United States. But there was one match in particular that not only made the whole billiards world feverish, but also made fans breathless with tension – that was the duel with a prize of up to 100,000 USD, where honor, pride and class were put to the test on the green table.
This event was organized as a “super classic” match, where not only skills, but also psychology and tactics were pushed to the limit. As soon as information about the match was announced, the global billiards community fell into a state of frenzy. Fans flocked to buy tickets, watch live, and social media exploded with heated debates: Who would win – the calm, magical “Wizard” Reyes? Or the “American Tiger” Strickland, known for his fierce, explosive style and arrogant personality?
As he entered the stadium, the atmosphere was like a heavyweight boxing match. Fans from all over the world chanted their idol’s name. The cheers of “Bata! Bata!” rang out from those who admired his calmness and masterful demeanor, while “Go Earl! Take him down!” were heard from Strickland’s fans, who believed in his power, aggression and dominating style.
The $100,000 prize money was not only a big number, but it also symbolized something more – it was an affirmation of who deserved to be called “The Greatest” of their generation. Every shot contained pressure, every small mistake could change the entire match. And as expected, the competition was extremely tense.
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In the first few games, Strickland showed that he was not easy to bully. He played as if he wanted to devour Reyes, with powerful, precise shots and fiery eyes. There were times when Strickland was ahead and the audience thought that maybe this time, Reyes would fall. But Efren remained calm, his eyes filled with depth like a sage waiting for the right moment to strike the fatal blow.
And then, the unthinkable happened – the “magic” called Reyes began to appear on the table. In a crucial game, when everyone thought Reyes was out of luck, the 8 ball was at an impossible angle, and the cue ball was blocked by a series of other balls. But Reyes was undaunted. He bent down, studied it carefully, and then suddenly executed a strange carom shot – the cue ball bounced three cushions and hit the object ball, gently pocketing it to the delight of the crowd.
Strickland was stunned. His face changed from confidence to amazement, then to frustration. Because he knew that when Reyes was “in the mood,” anything on the table was possible. That’s why people call him “The Magician”. Not because he does absurd things, but because he makes the impossible possible in a way that only legends can do.
From that moment on, the game began to tilt in Reyes’ favor. Strickland began to lose patience, making small but fatal mistakes – and Reyes, like a patient tiger, immediately took advantage of every opportunity to counterattack. The more he played, the more he showed his peak performance, with unbelievable “bank shots”, smooth combos, and the ability to control the cue ball down to the millimeter.
The audience almost went crazy. Shouts of “Unbelievable!”, “How did he do that?!” echoed throughout the stadium. The match had transcended the realm of sport – it had become a pinnacle of intelligence, skill and charisma.
In the end, after more than three hours of breathtaking competition, with fierce point chases, Efren “Bata” Reyes emerged victorious, bringing the audience to their feet and applauding nonstop. But more than winning or losing, what people remember most is the way he won – with humility, with magic, and with character.
Strickland, in a rare moment of sincerity after the match, approached Reyes and shook his hand. Although his eyes were still bitter, there was no denying the deep respect he had for the man who had so deservedly surpassed him. The press called it “The $100,000 Lesson” – a lesson in class, spirit and true greatness.
This match is remembered as one of the greatest moments in billiards history, where a living legend – Efren Reyes – not only won because of his technique, but also because he touched the hearts of millions of sports lovers.
Since then, people have referred to this match as a milestone that redefined the value of patience, creativity and humility. Because in a world of sports full of competition and money, there still exists a “magic” – and that magic is called Efren "The Magician" Reyes.
