Reyes played Vietnam’s Nguyen Tran Thanh Tu in the semifinals of the one-cushion carom event at the SEA Games in Hanoi on Wednesday.
In a 40-year professional career, Reyes has won almost everything there is to win, including the U.S. Open, Challenge of Champions and World Pool League Championship.
![Billiards legend Reyes thanks Vietnamese fans for support]()
He has been inducted into the Billiards Hall of Fame.
At the ongoing SEA Games in Hanoi, Reyes did not play the pool event, his favorite, and only one- and three-cushion carom since no one else in the Philippines was able to.
![Billiards legend Reyes thanks Vietnamese fans for support]()
Even before the games began, Reyes had admitted he had no chance to win a gold medal because the best cueists in Southeast Asia now are from Vietnam.
And that was shown in the semifinal. After leading 5-0 in the first turn, he was not able to keep up as Thanh Tu came back and led by 27 points. Eventually, Reyes lost 55-100 to win the bronze medal.
![Billiards legend Reyes thanks Vietnamese fans for support]()
But Reyes kept a smile on his face as usual despite losing, while in the stands Vietnamese fans chanted his name.
After the match, Tu took a selfie with Reyes, who is an idol for many younger players.
In his prime, Reyes was famous for his unorthodox and unique style and fans called him 'The Magician.'
![Billiards legend Reyes thanks Vietnamese fans for support]()
The presence of the legendary player at the SEA Games has got Vietnamese fans excited.
After the game, he said: "I can see that many Vietnamese fans were looking forward to seeing me play. I don't play carom frequently, and that's why I did not do well. Even when I lost, many supported me, and I want to thank you all so much."
![Billiards legend Reyes thanks Vietnamese fans for support]()
A fan brought along a painting of Reyes and waited to get his autograph outside the arena.
"The level of Vietnamese cueists has improved a lot, they are playing better by the day. There are so many pros in one- and three-cushion carom. I'd like to come back to Vietnam and I'd like the SEA Games to be hosted here."