In the world of billiards, where focus, strategy, and respect for the game and its players are paramount, one of the most dramatic encounters took place during a high-stakes international 9-ball match between the legendary Efren “Bata” Reyes and a rising Syrian player. It was a match that started with the usual tension of two fierce competitors, but it soon descended into an unforgettable display of frustration, confrontation, and regret.
The Syrian player, a young talent whose confidence had been building in the billiards community, found himself overwhelmed by the pressure of playing against a living legend. What followed was a series of events that would leave him with a lingering sense of disbelief and regret.
The match began as expected. Efren Reyes, known for his remarkable composure and unparalleled skill, was playing his usual game. He glided through the early stages, hitting each ball with precision and grace. On the other side of the table was the Syrian player, whose talent had earned him a spot on the world stage.
However, despite his skill, he struggled to match the ease with which Reyes approached the game. As the match progressed, the pressure on the young player mounted. It was clear that the expectation of defeating a legend was weighing heavily on him.
What started as a typical back-and-forth match soon became more intense, with the Syrian player’s frustration evident in his body language. He began to rush his shots, displaying an uncharacteristic impatience. The tension in the arena was palpable as he missed shots that would normally have been simple for someone of his caliber. His performance began to unravel, and with each missed shot, the pressure mounted, causing him to grow increasingly agitated.
VIDEO :
Efren Reyes, ever the master of mental fortitude, remained unfazed. He continued to play his game, as if he was completely oblivious to the mounting tension. But to the young Syrian player, Reyes' calm demeanor only seemed to highlight his own growing sense of frustration. As the game progressed, the young player began to lash out.
He started arguing with the referee over calls that seemed trivial, questioning the decisions in an attempt to shift the focus away from his own struggles. His actions were becoming more erratic, and the spectators, who had initially been supportive, began to murmur in disapproval.
The last straw came when the Syrian player, in a moment of sheer frustration, turned directly to Efren Reyes and raised his voice in a way that no one in the billiards community had ever seen before.
“You think you’re so great? You think I can’t handle the pressure?” the Syrian player snapped, his face flushed with anger. The crowd fell silent as Reyes, who had been focused on the table, looked up and met the young player’s gaze. For a moment, there was an eerie silence in the room as the tension between the two competitors hung in the air.
Efren Reyes, known for his unshakeable calm and respect for the game, did not respond immediately. Instead, he simply took a deep breath and slowly walked over to the young player, his eyes reflecting nothing but calm.
“Do not let your emotions control your game,” Reyes said quietly, almost as if he were speaking to himself rather than the Syrian player. "The game is about patience, not anger. You must respect the table and the game if you want to win."
The words, though calm, were like a splash of cold water to the young player. For a brief moment, he looked as though he might respond, but something in Reyes’ gaze stopped him.
The atmosphere in the arena had shifted; the audience could sense that this was no longer about the game itself, but rather about the young player’s mental state. His earlier outbursts had disrupted the flow of the match, and the frustration that had built up over the course of the game was now out in the open.
The Syrian player, his face a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief, took a moment to compose himself. He could feel the weight of the situation. What had started as a minor frustration had now spiraled into a full-blown argument with one of the greatest players in the history of billiards. The regret began to set in as he realized what had just transpired. He had lost control, not only of his emotions but also of his respect for the game and for Reyes, a player who had given so much to the sport.
The rest of the match proceeded, but the atmosphere had changed. The Syrian player, though still determined to finish strong, was no longer the same. He had lost his focus, and every shot seemed like an uphill battle. His movements were hurried, and his attempts at recovery only seemed to further highlight his lack of composure. Reyes, however, was in his element.
He played with the same quiet brilliance that had earned him the title of "The Magician." With each shot, he seemed to be teaching the young player a lesson in humility, patience, and respect for the game.
In the end, Efren Reyes won the match, as expected, but the real story was not about the outcome on the table. It was about the transformation that had occurred in the mind of the young Syrian player. The moment he had lost his cool and argued with the legend was one he would never forget. As the match concluded, the Syrian player stood up, his head bowed in regret. He approached Reyes, who was already gathering his cue and preparing to leave the table.
“I’m sorry,” the young player said, his voice soft and apologetic. “I lost control. I shouldn’t have argued with you.”
Efren Reyes looked at him with a slight smile, the same calm smile that had been present throughout the match. “You will learn more from this moment than from any shot you’ve ever made,” he said. “The best players are those who can control their emotions, no matter the situation. The game is as much about the mind as it is about the cue ball.”
The young player nodded, deeply humbled by Reyes' words. In that moment, he understood that victory or defeat on the table was not as important as mastering the mental game that underpinned it all. The regret that followed the argument was not just about losing the match—it was about losing the respect he had for both the game and the legendary player before him.
The Syrian player would go on to have a successful career in billiards, but that match with Efren Reyes stayed with him. It became a constant reminder of the importance of composure, patience, and respect. He would often reflect on the words of the "Magician" and use that lesson to guide him through the many challenges that lay ahead. It was a regret that became a catalyst for his growth as both a player and a person, one that would ultimately shape his future in ways he could never have imagined.
