In the Philippine sports world – where legends are carved into the hearts of the nation – there are two names that no one can compare to: Efren "Bata" Reyes, the immortal legend of the world of billiards, and Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, the great boxer who made his country famous with steel gloves. But no one ever thought that these two icons would appear together… not in the ring, nor in a traditional tournament – but in an unprecedented match in the history of sports: Billiards vs. Boxing!
This "clash" started as a joke, a humorous moment between two famous friends at a charity fundraising event in Manila. But when the media started reporting the news, the online community exploded. From the cheerful comments, to a series of requests from fans: "We want to see that match actually happen!" And so, the seemingly impossible became a reality. A “Cross-Discipline Showdown” – where Pacquiao holds the cue and Reyes... wears boxing gloves – has been officially announced.
📣 Unprecedented media fever
The news spread like a virus on social media. International TV channels also joined in. From ESPN to BBC Sports, all reported on it. This event was not just a light entertainment, but became a symbol of the intersection between two seemingly unrelated sports worlds.
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Pacquiao fans eagerly awaited the moment when "Pacman" tried his hand in another field – a field that requires calculation, sophistication and magic of controlling the ball instead of stormy punches. Meanwhile, those who love Efren Reyes were curious to see what the "Snooker Wizard" would be like when he put on gloves and stood in the ring.
🎱 Round 1: Manny Pacquiao tries his hand at pool
The event took place in a packed Manila Arena, and was televised live nationwide. Round 1 began with Manny Pacquiao taking on Efren Reyes in an exhibition 9-ball match. Despite having played pool in his spare time, Pacquiao was no match for Reyes’ composure and brilliance. Every shot Reyes took was a miracle – not only did he win, but he also “teased” his opponent with extremely difficult bank shots and unpredictable hidden shots.
Despite his efforts, Pacquiao still showed his inexperience, and after a few games, he sat back in his chair, laughing loudly: “Oh no, I can’t compete with a legend like this!” – The audience burst into laughter and applause. Although he lost, Pacquiao’s presence and sportsmanship warmed the hearts of the audience.
🥊 Round 2: Efren Reyes enters the boxing ring!
Then it was the fans' turn to witness something that no one could believe: Efren Reyes wearing boxing trunks and gloves, stepped into the ring with Manny Pacquiao! Of course, this was an exhibition boxing round – no real fighting – but the seriousness of both made the audience unable to take their eyes off.
Reyes, who was over 60 years old, walked a bit slowly, but his eyes were still sharp and keen as when he read billiards. Pacquiao gently "moved around", threw a few symbolic punches to create atmosphere, and surprisingly – Reyes reacted by... raising an imaginary billiard cue like a sword, using martial arts moves to "poke" Pacquiao, making the whole audience laugh!
The two joked around the ring, recreating a true "Legend vs. Legend" match, where no one had to lose, and everyone won in the hearts of the fans.
😲 The “explosive” moment – the shot that stunned Pacquiao
Right before the show ended, Manny suddenly asked: “Efren, can you do the magic shot you used to win the semi-final in 1999?” The audience was silent. Reyes nodded, walked to the pool table placed in the middle of the ring, and... performed the legendary shot: a 3-cushion combo, the number 3 ball hit the wall, bounced over 2 other cushions and fell gently into the pocket. Pacquiao sat up, mouth agape: “No way!” – The audience exploded!
That shot became the symbol of the entire event. Not because of the competition, but because it was the moment when two top stars from two different fields celebrated their talent, passion and sportsmanship.
After the exchange, the two hugged each other amid the cheers of thousands of spectators. Both Pacquiao and Reyes said: “We do this not to compete, but to inspire. Whether you are a fighter, an artist or an athlete – the important thing is that you are passionate and keep trying.”
The media called this “The Greatest Crossover in Philippine Sports History.” And perhaps, what makes it so attractive is not who wins or loses, but the attitude, mutual respect and the spirit of inspiring the younger generation.
