In the world of billiards, there are few names that inspire as much respect as Efren "Bata" Reyes. This Filipino is not only an excellent athlete, but also the embodiment of art, creativity and indomitable spirit on the billiards table. In a special event, Efren Reyes' talent and magic made a top American star, known for his confidence and bravery, bow down in respect — a moment that showed the timeless class of the "Filipino Wizard."
The match took place in a tense but eager atmosphere. Spectators from all over flocked to witness the competition between two generations: on one side was the immortal legend Efren Reyes, on the other side was the American star, who was known as the "winning machine" for his precision and fiery competitive spirit. Everyone expected the match to be a high-profile affair, but few expected to witness a true performance from the master of pool, Reyes.
From the very first shots, Efren stunned everyone. He not only defeated his opponent with precise shots, but also with creative cues, unbelievable runs, and shots that seemed to only exist in the dreams of cueists. A two-ball, three-ball, a beautiful masse, a gentle but powerful jump ball — all were executed by Reyes with such perfection that even his American opponent could not hide his admiration.
The most memorable moment was when Reyes was faced with an almost impossible situation: the cue ball was stuck close to the rail, and the target ball was in the middle of a maze of balls. Amidst the audience's heavy breathing, Reyes calmly bent down, patiently watched, then suddenly performed a masse with absolute spin, causing the cue ball to fly as if by magic, winding through the other balls and pushing the target ball into the pocket perfectly.
The whole stadium exploded in thunderous applause, while the American star could only stand and laugh, shaking his head in amazement, then went to shake Reyes' hand in the middle of the match, as an act of respect for the genius in front of him.
VIDEO :
After the match, at the press conference, the American star did not hesitate to praise Reyes: "I have faced the best players in the world, but no one has ever made me feel so small. Efren plays as if he and the billiards table are one entity. It's as if the table is listening to him. Every shot of his contains a genius calculation that ordinary people can hardly imagine."
That compliment came not just out of politeness or defeat, but from the heart of a professional athlete who clearly understood that to reach Reyes' level, it takes natural talent, combined with decades of tireless work and a razor-sharp mind.
One thing that sets Efren Reyes apart from the rest is his competitive spirit. No matter who he plays against, Reyes always maintains his composure, gentle smile and top-notch sportsmanship. There is no arrogance, no challenging looks, just absolute concentration and pure passion for the game. It is this quality that increases his admiration — not only from the audience, but also from opponents who seem "invincible."
The story between Efren Reyes and the American star that day quickly spread throughout the billiards world. Social networking sites, sports forums and even major newspapers did not spare praise. The image of the American star standing and applauding Reyes became a beautiful symbol of sportsmanship: acknowledging the talent of others does not make you small, but proves that you are big enough to understand and honor greatness.
For fans, this match was a priceless gift. They not only watched a top-notch match, but also witnessed the purest beauty of billiards — when technique, intelligence and martial spirit converge. As for Efren Reyes, this was just another normal working day, where he continued to write his legend with "unimaginable" shots.
It is not surprising that many people say that Efren Reyes is more than just a player. He is an artist, a master, a living symbol of the billiards world. And the moment that made an American star bow in admiration only further affirmed that truth: There are people who are born not to follow standards, but to redefine them themselves.
That day, a star was admired, millions of people were amazed, and the name Efren "Bata" Reyes was once again engraved in the hearts of billiards lovers as an eternal symbol of talent and humility.
