In the history of sports, there are moments that surpass all expectations, leaving a mark not only because of their technical excellence but also because of the element of surprise and emotion they bring. In the world of billiards, the name Efren “Bata” Reyes is no stranger.
He is a living icon, a Filipino legend respected worldwide for his superb skills, masterful tactical thinking, and especially his ability to solve seemingly impossible situations. And one of the most brilliant moments in his illustrious career is the save dubbed "The Most Classic Save in Billiards History" - a shot that stunned the entire billiards world.
The story begins at a prestigious tournament where the best players in the world gather. Reyes was playing in a very tense match, facing one of the most talented young opponents from Europe - a man who had declared to the media that "The new generation is the future of billiards, and Reyes is past his prime."
Those confident statements added drama to the already highly anticipated match. And as expected, the two brought a tense battle of wits, where every stroke carried the weight of pressure and pride.
The match took place in a tense atmosphere. Reyes was behind 8-6 in a race-to-9 match. A small mistake could end the dream of a comeback. In the 15th game, the young opponent made a perfect shot, pushing the white ball into the corner of the table, leaving Reyes in an extremely awkward situation.
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The target ball was blocked behind two defensive balls, with the table angle so narrow that many experts on the sidelines thought Reyes had no choice but to lose this round.
But for Efren Reyes, nothing was impossible. He walked around the table in silence, his eyes watching like an eagle hunting for prey. Every move, every glance seemed to be calculating hundreds of options in his head.
The audience was silent. The commentator was almost holding his breath. And then he took the cue, aiming at a corner of the table that seemed hopeless.
The magic shot began – the white ball made a double-cross, skimmed the edge of the defensive ball with millimeter precision, returned to the right position to hit the object ball and… not only saved the shot, but also pocketed the object ball to the roar of the crowd!
The whole stadium exploded. Reyes’ opponent – who was standing watching, immediately opened his mouth in disbelief at what he had just witnessed. He approached the table, looked closely at the mark of the shot, then could only shake his head and laugh bitterly.
The TV commentator couldn’t help but shout: “This is something only Reyes can do! A great save! A classic shot that we will talk about for decades to come!”
Not only was it a save, but it was also the beginning of an incredible comeback. Fueled by his spirit, Reyes won the next three games in an overwhelming manner, ending the match with a dramatic score of 9-8. The audience stood up and applauded endlessly. Tears of pride fell on the cheeks of many Filipino fans, as they witnessed their idol once again create a miracle.
Immediately after the match, the video of that “classic save” spread at a dizzying speed across social media platforms. International billiards forums exploded with thousands of comments: "How did he come up with that shot?", "We just witnessed a piece of history!", "That's not technique, that's magic!"... Many professional players also had to openly express their surprise and admiration.
The following month, Billiards Digest magazine devoted its entire cover to this classic shot with the title: "Efren Reyes - When Magic Becomes Reality".
They called it a shot that symbolizes creativity, courage and never giving up. A lesson for those who want to step into the world of professional billiards: "If you think you've run out of options, remember Efren Reyes."
Not long after, this shot was used by many tournaments and billiards training academies as a typical example of the "kick shot" and "safety recovery" skills - two of the top techniques that Reyes always excelled at. New players are often shown this video as a source of inspiration and a reminder: “Billiards is not just about power and angle – it is also about art and belief.”
What makes this shot immortal is Reyes’ spirit. At an age when many have retired from the top of their game, he still stands firm, not only with his talent but also with his steely will and unwavering passion. That save was not simply a moment of salvation – it was a powerful declaration that “the legend is not over”.
Since then, people still talk about that shot as one of the most memorable moments in the history of world billiards. It is not only “The Most Classic Save” but also an immortal symbol of the greatness, courage and indomitability of Efren “Bata” Reyes.
