In the world of billiards, there are legends who are forever etched in the minds of fans — not just because of the titles they won, but because of the way they played, the style they brought, and the legacy they left behind with each shot.
One of the few who reached that pinnacle is Efren "Bata" Reyes, the diminutive Filipino who turned billiards into an art form, the man whose cue made the world stop and watch.
And the saying "Once a magician is always a magician!" has never been more true when it comes to Efren — because no matter his age, no matter who his opponents were, his skills were as magical as ever.
Born in 1954 in Angeles City, Philippines, Reyes did not come to billiards through the glamorous route that many others took. He grew up poor, played with homemade cues, and learned to win not only through technique but also through creativity, intelligence, and masterful table reading.
Those factors, over time, made him a legend — and the only person in history to have won 9-ball, 8-ball, one-pocket and straight pool at the international level.
VIDEO :
When talking about the confrontation between Reyes and the world's top players, people don't just talk about wins — but "magic wins". People don't understand what Reyes saw, why he chose that shot, and how the ball went so perfectly.
Opponents like Earl Strickland (USA), Mika Immonen (Finland), Francisco Bustamante (Philippines), Ralf Souquet (Germany) and Shane Van Boening (USA) — notorious names who were once world number one — all had to bow to his seemingly impossible shots.
Throughout his career, Reyes made history many times against world champions. One of the most memorable moments was his victory over Earl Strickland at the 1996 Color of Money – a three-day match with a total prize money of $100,000.
It was not just a match for money, but an iconic confrontation between modern technique and “cue magic”. Strickland played hard and decisively, but Reyes was gentle, delicate and extremely accurate. The result was Reyes winning 120-117 in a thrilling match that to this day is still considered one of the greatest performances in the history of world pool.
Another example is the legendary victory at the World Pool Championship in 1999. Facing a series of world-class opponents, Reyes showed consistent performance, outstanding class and brought home the world title that the Filipinos had been waiting for for many years.
What’s special is that Reyes always does things his own way — with fantasy-like bank shots, combos that break seemingly deadlocked positions, and smooth strokes like jazz. The whole world sits in front of the screen, amazed and applauding.
Even though he is no longer at his peak, Reyes still makes young players wary. In recent years, he has had exhibition matches with young up-and-coming players like Joshua Filler, Ko Ping-Chung, or Jayson Shaw — who are occupying the top positions in the world.
And the amazing thing is that even though he is no longer in great shape, Reyes still maintains a superior mind, composure, and superior tactical thinking. They may be younger, faster, but no one can “think the table” or “see five steps ahead” like him.
One of the things that makes Reyes immortal in the hearts of fans is his humble attitude and great personality. He never exaggerated about himself, never looked down on his opponents, and always played with a gentle smile, making people feel like they were watching a performer rather than an athlete. It was this simplicity that highlighted his extraordinary talent.
Millions of fans around the world continue to follow each performance, each clip recording his magical shots. Videos with titles such as “Efren Reyes defies physics”, “Only The Magician Can Do This Shot”, or “He’s 70 but still unbeatable” continuously attract millions of views on YouTube, proving the eternal appeal of Reyes – a timeless icon.
When looking back at his playing career, people cannot help but exclaim: "Once a magician is always a magician." Once you have seen Reyes play, you will always remember the way he made billiards become a piece of music – full of emotion, creativity and surprise. The opponents may be strong, they may be fast, but Reyes is… different. He doesn’t just play billiards — he paints it.
And perhaps, in the hearts of those who love this sport, Efren “Bata” Reyes will forever be the greatest artist, an immortal monument – ​​the one who has amazed and admired the world.
Because no matter who can be crowned champion, no matter who is called the current number one player, when it comes to history – there is only one “The Magician”.
