At an age when many have retired or are just playing pool as a hobby, Efren “Bata” Reyes still amazes the world with his genius. His incredibly accurate kicks and incredibly clever safety play leave younger opponents sweating and confused, not knowing whether to attack or defend. While many have called him a “living legend,” it seems Reyes is far more than that.
He is not only a keeper of beautiful memories of the golden age of billiards – he is also creating matches that today’s youth must respect. Recently, in an exhibition tournament combining young stars with billiards legends, Efren Reyes once again made waves among fans. Against young players full of spirit and confidence, Reyes was not only not overshadowed but also quickly made them admit the truth: his level was still on a “different level”.
Throughout the match, Reyes used a series of top-notch defensive shots – shots that deliberately put the cue ball in a difficult position, making it impossible for his opponent to make a direct shot. What is worth mentioning is that Reyes always seemed to have a vision three steps before he hit the first shot. He did not hit to score – he hit as if he was building a tactical maze that trapped his opponent.
One of the most outstanding moments that brought the audience to their feet was his two-rail kick shot in the fifth game. In a seemingly hopeless situation, Reyes calmly calculated the angle of the shot and sent the cue ball skimming across two rails before lightly hitting the object ball – not only hitting but also creating a perfect defensive position. The commentator exclaimed: “That’s Efren magic. Only he can do that.”
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Reyes’ versatility and creativity in playing are also what make his opponents unpredictable. While young people often rely on strength and precise combos, Reyes uses his judgment, sense of the ball, and decades of experience to turn the tables. He doesn’t play to win quickly – he plays to teach a lesson, a lesson that his opponents will remember for the rest of their lives.
Many young people enter the table with Reyes, eager to show off, wanting to defeat a legend to leave their mark. But after just a few rounds, sweat is already forming on their foreheads. Not because of the pressure of the crowd – but because every time they look at the table, they realize that every angle of attack is “blocked” by Reyes, as if the table has been programmed by him so that only he knows the way.
One of the young opponents, only 22 years old and dubbed “the young genius of Asia”, shared after the match:
“I didn’t think he was still that good. I thought I would attack hard and put him on the defensive. But in fact, he made me confused. I couldn’t predict what he would do next. He made me lose my patience and then make a mistake.”
That’s how Reyes plays – not hasty, not exaggerated, but extremely effective. His soft blows are like whispers, but have terrible tactical meaning. No one understands the art of defense like Reyes. He doesn’t fight to show strength, but to show intelligence. A blow from Reyes can make his opponent think for a whole minute without finding a way out.
And not only in terms of tactics, Reyes still makes the audience love him for his humble style and familiar gentle smile. After each victory, he does not appear complacent or arrogant. Instead, he would often bow his head in gratitude and say, “I just play by feeling.” But behind that “playing by feeling” are millions of hours of practice, talent, and an artistic soul.
When asked if he still has the energy to play in big tournaments, Reyes just smiled and said, “I don’t play for titles anymore, I play to enjoy – and if I can make the young guys learn something, then I’m happy.” That simple answer contained great power – because clearly, although he did not aim to win, he was still the one who taught the next generation lessons in humility, strategy, and passion.
As the match progressed, his young opponents became more and more tense. Inaccurate shots began to appear – simply because they could not handle the psychological pressure Reyes created. With just a calm observation, Reyes made his opponents feel like they were competing in a mind game, not just playing billiards. And in that “game of wits,” Reyes was always in control.
The match ended with a picture-perfect defensive shot – Reyes sent the cue ball backspin across three cushions, skimming the edge of the opponent’s ball and making a light tap, sending the object ball into a position where his opponent could not hit it. The audience exploded. The young opponent could only sigh and applaud – because clearly, he did not lose because he played poorly, but because his opponent was Efren Reyes – a true master.
Today, Reyes continues to compete, not for fame or money – but for passion, for the love of the sport that brought him to the top. Despite his advanced age, he still plays as if he were in his prime. And every shot, every defensive play he makes is a living testament to that: Efren Reyes is not just a legend – he is a phenomenon that has transcended time. And he is still on another level.
