In the world of billiards, there is a name that whether you are a long-time fan or just starting out, you have definitely heard of: Efren “Bata” Reyes – The Living Legend of the Billiards World. At the age of 68, he still makes everyone admire every time he steps on the table, with his unbelievable cues and his ability to read the table beyond imagination.
But not everyone respects him, especially the younger generation – the up-and-coming players, full of energy and… full of confidence. In a recent match, a young player caused a stir in the billiards community when he was so confident that he could “read” Efren Reyes – and the final result completely surprised everyone.
The match took place at a friendly exhibition event in the Philippines, where many fans gathered to witness the legendary Reyes compete. His opponent was a young European player, just over 20 years old and being called the "new phenomenon" of billiards.
With recent victories in small international tournaments, he began to become arrogant and believed that Reyes' time was over.
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In a short interview before the match, he did not hesitate to declare: "I have studied Reyes's style of play carefully. He has strange strokes, but I think I have found a way to neutralize them. It is time for the new generation to speak up."
The audience was immediately divided into two camps - one side supported the young player with his boldness and desire to win, and the other side was absolutely loyal to "Wizard" Reyes. When the match began, the young player opened with a confident demeanor.
He stepped up to the table with an arrogant smile and strong, decisive shots. He had some impressive strokes that made the whole audience admire. But Reyes remained calm as usual. He sat quietly, observing, with a deep gaze – the gaze of someone who had seen too much in his competitive life.
After the first few rounds, the young player seemed to have the upper hand. But then the turning point happened. In a seemingly simple play, he deliberately played a difficult shot to “tease” Reyes – with the aim of reducing the morale of this legend.
He hit an incredible spin shot, but the cue ball stopped right on the edge of the hole – not going in. The opportunity was transferred to Reyes.
And then… the real stage began.
Efren Reyes stepped onto the table like an artist stepping onto an opera stage. No noise, no trumpets, but his every move made the whole audience hold their breath. With eyes that seemed to read the position of each ball, Reyes began to show the class of a legend.
He made shots that no one expected – the ball went around three cushions and then fell into the pocket, the shot looked "wrong" but was incredibly accurate. Each shot was a lesson, a message to the young player: "You are still green."
The audience exploded after each move. Some screamed, some just held their heads in amazement. The young player gradually became confused, losing his initial confidence.
He started making mistakes – missing shots, miscalculating, and at times even turning to the referee to ask for time… as if he needed a break to calm down. But Reyes did not give him a chance. He continued to press, making his opponent play in a nightmare with no way out.
In the final game, Reyes made a "masse" – a shot that curved the ball around the wrong ball – to put the target ball into the pocket in a spectacular way. The shot made the entire audience explode. The young man could only stand there, looking at the table with a face of surprise and disappointment.
After shaking hands to end the match, he bowed his head to Reyes – not because he lost, but because he realized that he had just learned a lesson that he would never forget for the rest of his life.
At the end of the match, Reyes, still with a gentle smile, said a humble sentence to the reporter: "He is young and has great potential. But in billiards, it is not only about strength and youth – it is also about calmness, experience and respect for the opponent."
That sentence made everyone ponder. In an era where arrogance is sometimes considered a symbol of confidence, Reyes proved that the pinnacle of art is humility and true talent.
That match was not just a match. It was a lesson in life. That no matter how young, agile or outstanding you are, you still need to respect those who have gone before you. And that… there are things you can’t “read” – because it’s something beyond reason: it’s genius instinct.
Efren Reyes, at 68, has nothing to prove. But once again, he showed the world why people call him “The Magician.” And that arrogant kid, perhaps, has learned the most important thing in his career: never underestimate a legend. Especially when that person is… Efren “Bata” Reyes.
