In the world of billiards, where skill, strategy and character are the three most important factors that make a champion, the name Efren 'Bata' Reyes always stands tall like a mountain. He is not only a living symbol of the world of billiards, but also the embodiment of miracles - a man who has proven that there are moments when superior skill and luck combine to create the unthinkable. And in a match called "God-Sent Match", Reyes once again surprised the world, exclaiming: "Even the best need a little luck!"
The match took place at a top tournament with the participation of many of the world's top stars. However, the spotlight seemed to be on only one person - Efren Reyes, who has turned 70 but still has the charisma of a god on the table. His opponent this time was a young player from Europe – the reigning continental champion, famous for his cool, precise and youthful playing style. Experts considered this a big challenge for Reyes, and many even thought that his era was over.
But Efren had nothing to prove. He did not go to the court to argue about who was better. He simply went there to play billiards in his own way – a way that no one else could.
Right from the first shots, the atmosphere in the audience became tense to the point of suffocation. Reyes did not start very well when his opponent led 3-1. The fans began to worry, but anyone who had watched him play knew: Efren always had a way to come back.
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In the 5th game, Reyes faced an extremely difficult situation: the cue ball was lying close to the edge of the table, and the target ball was blocked by two other balls. For any player, it is a “play it safe” shot, waiting for the next opportunity. But Reyes is different.
He calculated carefully, placed the cue in a strange position and made a break with an unexpected backspin. Contrary to expectations, the ball circled the table, hit the wall three times and then made contact with the target ball exactly to the millimeter – a shot that was both technical and… lucky to the point that the audience could not believe their eyes.
The audience exploded. Cheers and surprised head hugs spread everywhere. The commentator exclaimed: “This is something only Efren can do! And maybe even thanks to… fate!”
What makes people admire Reyes is not only his magical shots, but also his timeless tactical thinking. At an age when others have retired, Reyes still shows his ability to read the table extremely quickly, calculating every ball, every spin, every lightest touch.
He doesn’t play with strength – he plays with intelligence and intuition. In many situations, Reyes seems to have “foreseen” the outcome after three or four shots. And that doesn’t come from luck, but from decades of playing thousands of matches, accumulating a wealth of knowledge and a sense of the ball that is hard to match.
However, Reyes himself said after the match: “No matter how good you are, you always need a little luck. Sometimes, the ball falls in the right direction just because... God wants it to!” That statement touched millions of billiards lovers around the world. It’s not just modesty – it’s a philosophy of life, a recognition that sometimes, to create a legendary match, talent and destiny need to blend together.
After more than an hour of intense competition, with ball breaks, dribbles and “unbelievable shots”, Reyes successfully turned the tables and won 7-5. The young opponent could not hide his admiration, and went to hug Reyes as an act of respect.
The whole audience stood up and applauded. The spectators knew that they had just witnessed not just a match, but a miraculous display of art and sportsmanship. The match was dubbed the "God-Sent Match" by the online community - because only God could send such a perfect performance to the world.
Efren 'Bata' Reyes no longer had to prove anything. What he left behind was not only a title, inimitable shots, but also a spirit of life - patient, creative, humble and inspiring.
The saying "Even the best need luck" is not only true in sports but also in life. Reyes teaches us that talent is something that can be trained, but sometimes, we must also smile when luck comes to visit. And when skill and luck meet at the right time – magic happens.
