In the world of billiards, where technique, psychology and sophistication combine to form an art, nothing gets the audience going like a high-level match that is full of defiance and arrogance.
At an international event, with the whole world watching, a young world champion – arrogant and full of confidence – declared that he would “end the era of legends” and “pull Carlo Biado and his idol – Efren Reyes – off their thrones.” Little did anyone know that this attitude would spark a response that would leave everyone breathless.
The event took place at an international tournament held in Tokyo, where the world’s top players gathered. Media, fans, scouts and industry legends were all present. The stage was big, the lights were bright, and the atmosphere was so dramatic that it felt like a play was about to begin.
The center of attention that day was the reigning world champion – a young player from Europe – who had caused a stir with his overwhelming victories in recent tournaments. He was seen as the “heir to the throne,” a new symbol of the modern generation. But instead of respecting his predecessors, he chose an arrogant way to reach the top.
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Before the match, when interviewed, he coldly declared: “I don’t believe in miracles, and I also don’t believe that someone over 60 like Efren Reyes still retains real strength. Carlo Biado? A faded copy. Today, I will show the world who is the current master of the billiard table.”
That statement immediately created a wave of protests from fans. But with his calm personality, Efren Reyes just smiled, while Carlo Biado quietly practiced. For Reyes, this was not the first time he had been provoked.
But for Biado, it was the first time he had stood with his idol against such an arrogant common opponent. “We didn’t need to say much,” Biado said, “we let the cue and the table do the talking.”
The match was played in a team format: two players on each side. Reyes was a combination of experience, intelligence and sophisticated technique. His opponent was youthful, bold and had a huge ego. From the very first shots, the world champion showed confidence to the point of recklessness.
He played fast, recklessly, constantly signaling to the audience as if he was performing, not competing. However, that was a double-edged sword. He made a mistake when he missed the 7 ball on a simple cue – a mistake that experts called “unacceptable at this level.”
And then, the audience exploded when Efren Reyes stepped up to the table. He didn’t need to brag. The familiar bow, the gentle grip, the focused eyes. The first shot was a complicated ball path, but as usual, he controlled the balls as if they were dancers dancing to his will.
Reyes moved gently, calmly, but each shot left his opponents stunned. Especially the bank shot from the table to the 3 ball - no one thought he would dare to try, and even less believed that the shot would be successful with absolute precision.
Carlo Biado, following in the footsteps of his idol, played with passion but still extremely accurate. Biado seemed to be empowered by standing next to Reyes. He created smart, well-coordinated combinations, many times making his opponents shake their heads.
One of the highlights was a top-notch combo shot, putting the 8 ball into the pocket that no one thought could be done in that situation. The audience stood up and applauded endlessly. Biado seemed to be taking revenge on behalf of an entire generation that was looked down upon.
The world champion and his teammate gradually fell into a state of confusion. His eyes were no longer as confident as before. He began to play slower, think more – a clear sign that his mentality was being eroded.
The atmosphere in the stadium was heavy and full of pressure. But on the side of Reyes and Biado, they still smiled lightly, exchanged glances and continued to show a top performance.
The match ended after more than an hour of competition. The overwhelming score: Reyes – Biado won with a difference of 9-4. A victory not only about technique, but also a victory of spirit, of humility, and of respect for the sport they loved.
After the match, the world champion bowed his head, no longer arrogant as before. He went to shake hands with Reyes and Biado, his eyes showing disappointment but also a bit of recognition. In the press conference afterwards, he only said one sentence: “I made a wrong assessment.
I forgot that there are things that cannot be learned in a few years. Maybe I just received the biggest lesson of my career.”
