In the world of billiards, where every shot can become a masterpiece, there is a name that always makes the audience hold their breath every time he steps onto the table – Efren “Bata” Reyes, who is known as the “Wizard” of the world of billiards. Although he has entered the twilight of his career, his aura has never faded. Every time he appears, Reyes always overwhelms fans with his unimaginable shots, profound strategies and the calm demeanor of a legend who has conquered a series of prestigious tournaments over the past three decades.
And this time, the stage calls his name again in a match that people call “the confrontation of the generation” – when Reyes faces a young genius from Japan, who is hailed as “Asia’s New Hope”. That young man – only 21 years old – has stirred up the Japanese billiards scene with his daring playing style, speed and confidence beyond measure. The Japanese media called him “the child of the future”, someone who could make it big and even dethrone the greats.
The match was held at a modern stadium in Osaka, Japan, with thousands of spectators packed into the seats. Reyes’ presence added to the atmosphere of expectation and solemnity. When he stepped out, applause echoed throughout the stands. Some people chanted his name as if they were witnessing a magic show instead of a normal sports match. In contrast, the young Japanese player stepped out with a strong demeanor, eyes full of fire, expressing his eagerness to create a milestone in his career by defeating his childhood idol.
VIDEO :
Right from the first shots, the young Japanese player showed his careful preparation. He launched powerful shots, accurate to the millimeter. Reyes, a bit slower, but his eyes still maintained absolute concentration. Despite being 3-0 down quite quickly, he did not show any signs of anxiety. He even smiled when his opponent's shot missed a bit - a gentle smile but enough to make the whole audience realize that the 'Wizard' still had magic in his hands.
And then, as if time had reversed, Reyes began to counterattack. He did not hit fast, did not hit hard, but hit accurately. Each of his shots seemed to be drawn with intelligence and art. Unbelievable combos, "kick shots" that flew through three or four cushions and then knocked down the target ball made the audience continuously exclaim in amazement. At times it seemed that the 9 ball was out of reach, but Reyes only needed one light touch at the right spot - and everything changed. The score gradually shortened: 3-2... then 3-3. Silence fell over the audience, as if everyone was witnessing a legendary "resurrection".
The young man, although still trying to stay calm, began to look flustered. He even missed a few simple cues – something that was rare in the previous rounds. Perhaps, the feeling of standing in front of a living monument, who had defeated a series of superstars, made the young player feel pressure in a way he had never experienced before. Reyes did not miss an opportunity – he took advantage of every small mistake, every gap to turn the situation around. From being pushed into a corner, he rose up with the utmost courage and intelligence, combined with a leisurely style like he was playing a classical piece of music.
One of the most memorable moments of the match was the “massé” shot that Reyes made on the 10th cue. The 5 ball was behind a thick layer of ball barriers, seemingly inaccessible. But Reyes, with an artistically curved cue, swung his hand down hard on the table and made the cue ball curve through the barriers in a strange curve, then hit the 5 ball and put it perfectly into the pocket. The audience stood up and applauded loudly, while the opponent could only shake his head and laugh as if he could not believe what he had just witnessed.
In the final rounds, the match became a real art performance. Reyes had taken a 7-5 lead. But the Japanese boy did not give up - he fought back strongly, scoring 2 consecutive games to equalize the score 7-7. The tension was extremely intense. In the decisive round, both sides showed their superior techniques, fighting with each shot.
But it was at that crucial moment that the class of a legend was shown. Reyes, with a seemingly simple shot, used the exact force and angle to put the 8 and 9 balls in perfect position - and finished with a shot that went into the textbooks of world billiards.
In the end, Reyes won 8-7 in a dramatic match that was breathtaking. He raised his hand to greet the audience, his face still composed and his smile full of compassion – a familiar image that warmed the hearts of fans. The young Japanese man bowed his head, showing absolute respect to the man he had once declared he would defeat.
