In the world of billiards, there are moments that fans will remember forever, and the match between Filipino legend Efren “Bata” Reyes and a young player from the Netherlands was one of them. Under the bright lights and cheers from the audience, people witnessed a classic performance - where the skill, composure and magic of Reyes blew away the complacency of an arrogant young opponent. This event not only amazed the audience, but also once again affirmed Reyes' position as an immortal "wizard" in the international billiards world.
The match took place within the framework of an international tournament, where top players from all over gathered to compete. The Dutch player, only 26 years old, is a rising star, standing out with a bold and confident playing style. Before the match, he did not hesitate to say that Reyes was "just a shadow of the past" and "could not keep up with the speed of the new generation." Those words not only angered the audience, but also challenged the honor of a living monument - a person who spent his life creating legendary cues and inspiring millions of people.
Right from the first shots, Reyes showed that age is just a number. He stepped onto the table with a cold gaze, holding the cue firmly like a veteran. While his Dutch opponent tried to show off his skills with powerful shots and a showy style, Reyes chose a slow, calm, but extremely precise style of play. After each of Reyes' shots, the applause rang out like thunder - not only because the ball went into the hole, but because he miraculously made seemingly impossible situations simple.
VIDEO :
The highlight of the match came in the 5th game, when Reyes found himself in a difficult situation: the number 3 ball was close to the edge of the table, covered by two other balls. The audience held their breath waiting for a safe shot, but no – Reyes decided to execute the legendary "Z kick". The cue stick curved slightly along the imaginary ball's path, the number 3 ball curved spectacularly over the fence and landed neatly in the corner hole. The whole audience exploded. The Dutch opponent could only smile wryly, his bewildered eyes could not be hidden. From that moment on, the match was no longer a battle between two players – it became a solo performance of Reyes' art.
Not only did Reyes have magical shots, he also showed a strong mentality – something that his young opponent did not have. In the following games, when he was behind, the Dutch player began to show impatience and loss of control. He missed shots, made mistakes, while Reyes leisurely took advantage of every small mistake to increase the gap. Some of Reyes' shots were unbelievable - like when he hit the white ball three times, dodged four blocks and hit the target exactly. This was no longer billiards - this was magic!
The audience stood up, applauding and shouting his name after each move. The commentator even exclaimed: "This is no longer a match, this is a living legend writing his story." Meanwhile, his Dutch opponent became more and more lost. The initial confident look in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a helpless bow every time Reyes finished a game with an unbelievable advantage.
Finishing the match with an overwhelming score of 9-2, Reyes once again proved that experience, sophistication and love for the sport can defeat any arrogance. His Dutch opponent did not say a word after the match. At the press conference, he only admitted: “I underestimated him. I thought I understood billiards, but it turns out, I was just learning the basics compared to the wizard Efren.”
The international media immediately reported on the match like an earthquake. They called Reyes “Master of Magic”, “The Timeless Wonder”, and “Teacher of all generations.” Netizens and fans around the world shared a series of clips of Reyes’ “Z kick” and his moves, accompanied by endless words of admiration.
Reyes’ success in this match was not only in his victory, but also in the strong message he sent to the billiards world: Never underestimate a legend, especially when he still has a cue in his hand. For Reyes, every shot is a testament to his greatness, to his never-ending passion – and every match is a new chapter in the epic that he wrote with his extraordinary hands and mind.
Even at 60, Efren “Bata” Reyes continues to wow. In a world where speed and youth are often celebrated, he is a reminder that patience, artistry and character are what make true class. And no matter how many new stars emerge in the future, people will always look back on Reyes as an irreplaceable icon – the man who made the world believe in miracles.
