In the world of sports, there are moments that take your breath away, not because of a spectacular score, but because of an unexpected reversal, when pride is crushed by the harsh reality. And on a seemingly ordinary afternoon at an international exhibition tournament, a match between a rising young female player and a 64-year-old “old man” brought absolute silence to the audience. She believed she could beat Efren “Bata” Reyes – but what happened next left everyone speechless.
She was one of the young talents the media had dubbed “the new queen of Asian billiards”. Confident, sharp and with several international titles under her belt, she entered the match with a defiant look. Opposite her was Efren Reyes – a man with white hair, a slow gait and no longer in his physical prime. But there was one thing she had forgotten – he didn’t need power or speed, because he possessed what the world called… magic.
The match began with loud cheers. The young girl quickly dominated with powerful shots, demonstrating technique and coolness. Every time she scored, she glanced at Reyes as if to say that his time was over. Many in the audience nodded, thinking that she would win easily. But then… everything began to change.
In the third game, when she had only three balls left to finish the table, a small mistake caused her to miss. No one thought much of it – until Efren Reyes stepped up to the table. In just a few minutes, he moved the balls as if he were… talking to them. Shots that seemed impossible – happened smoothly, strangely light. A three-cushion shot that seemed impossible – was so accurate that it left her opponent frozen.
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The young girl was no longer smiling. Her gaze shifted from confidence to confusion. Reyes – with a calm expression – did not look at his opponent, did not show off. He only focused on the cue stick, on the table – as if he were in his own world. And in that world, there were no limits to intelligence and art.
Each of Reyes' shots was like a light knife cutting into his opponent's pride. When he made the shot that sent the 9 ball in a perfect curve, gliding through an impossible angle and falling into the pocket – the whole audience… fell silent. No one cheered. No applause. Only shock filled the entire space.
The young girl now bowed her head, her hands shaking slightly. Not because she had lost – but because she knew, she had just faced something far beyond her normal skills. She did not lose to a 64-year-old man. She lost to a living legend, a man who turned the game into art, a man whose innate genius, even if time slowed him down, could not be taken away.
The match ended in a spectacular comeback. Reyes won. But he did not celebrate. He just smiled slightly, bowed to the audience, and shook hands with his opponent. That humility, combined with his superb level of play, created an unforgettable moment.
After the match, the media exploded. Social media sites were flooded with videos of Reyes' "magical" shot. Netizens commented:
"She is young, beautiful and full of potential - but today, she learned the most important lesson: Never underestimate a legend."
The story spread like wildfire. But what touched people the most was Reyes' attitude. He did not mock, did not preach. He let his skills speak. And that... was louder than any lecture.
The girl – later in an interview – burst into tears and shared:
“I have never seen anyone play billiards like that. He does not hit the balls. He controls them. I thought his age would slow him down, but the opposite – he reads the table faster than anyone. I am not ashamed to lose. I am proud to compete with him.”
Efren Reyes – at 64 – has nothing to prove anymore. But in every match he plays, he continues to inspire. He teaches young people that sport is not only about strength and achievement, but also about creativity, humility and a burning passion that never goes out.
And so, on an unexpected day, when a girl thought she would win easily – she, and the whole world, were stunned by a shot... from another dimension, where only one person has ever existed: Efren “Bata” Reyes – The Magician.
