In the history of billiards, there are matches that are forever remembered as symbols of the confrontation between two extraordinary talents. But there are also matches that, for many reasons, are forgotten over time, despite their nature as iconic, high-level clashes.
One of those matches was the strange but fascinating encounter between Mike Sigel, who was known as “Mr. Perfect” – a living monument of American billiards, and a young Efren “Bata” Reyes, who was later hailed as “The Magician” – a genius from the Philippines. A match that was forgotten over time, but when looking back, people can see the great value and the brilliant rays from it.
The 80s was the period when Mike Sigel dominated the American billiards scene. He possessed a sophisticated, precise playing style, and the ability to control the ball almost absolutely. With dozens of major and minor titles, including many world championships, Sigel is a terror to any opponent who dares to step onto the table with him. He represents the American style of play – disciplined, strong, calculating and powerful.
On the other side of the world, on the other side of the globe, a skinny, somewhat shy guy with a natural talent for the cue stick is emerging as a phenomenon. That is Efren Reyes.
In Asian tournaments and a few visits to the US, Reyes shows off his unusual ball control techniques, creatively following no pattern, as if he sees cues that others cannot imagine. Reyes' style of play is a combination of art, mathematics and a little bit of... magic. When he steps onto the table, all the usual rules seem to be turned upside down.
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And then, fate brings them together.
The Sigel-Reyes match took place on an unexpected day – a small tournament in the US, not in the official system, but gathering big names. At that time, Reyes was not yet a name that shocked the world, and Sigel was at the peak of his career. Few people paid attention to this match, because they thought Reyes was just “a strange Asian guy” who was not worthy of the American legend. But that was a terrible mistake.
Right from the first rounds, the audience was stunned. Reyes was not afraid of the monument Mike Sigel. Instead, he responded with bold shots, unbelievable ball control and the ability to read the game as if he knew everything that was going to happen. A three-cushion carom perfectly executed by Reyes in the second round made the audience applaud nonstop – even Mike Sigel had to nod his head.
Sigel, with the spirit of a champion, did not show any confusion. He responded with razor-sharp combos, powerful breaks and the ability to rally from near-desperate situations. The match became a breathless chase for points – one man went first, the other immediately followed. Every time Reyes made a tricky kick shot, Sigel responded with a skillful bank shot.
The climax of the match came on the 18th round, when Reyes, down by one ball, had to hit a very difficult shot with the cue ball close to the rail, and the object ball blocked by two other balls. In that breathless moment, Reyes stepped up like a magician.
He hit a low spin, letting the cue ball slide around the obstacle ball, hit the object ball and slotted it into the corner pocket – a shot that sent the house into a frenzy. Mike Sigel, famous for his coolness, could only smile and shake his head – a rare expression of amazement and recognition of his opponent’s talent.
The match lasted more than three hours, with more than 25 exchanges of high-level shots. In the end, Reyes won by a narrow margin with only one ball. It was not Mike Sigel’s defeat – it was a top performance by both men, and Reyes simply had the more magical moment.
Although it was not widely broadcast, nor was there much documentation, those who witnessed the match confirmed that: that was the moment Efren Reyes stepped into the light. From then on, his reputation began to spread. He became a living legend, the only one that made Mike Sigel look at him and exclaim: “He is a genius. No one plays like that.”
That match contributed to changing the perception of the billiards world – that talent does not only come from the West. That a boy from Pampanga could challenge even the American icons. And that billiards is not just a game of calculation, but also art, magic, and emotion.
Today, when looking back, fans still regret that there are not many videos or documents about that match. But in the memories of those who witnessed it, it will forever be one of the most magical matches in the history of billiards - where a young Reyes faced and defeated Mike Sigel, the unshakeable icon of the world at that time.
