On an unforgettable evening, Filipino billiards legend Efren "Bata" Reyes wowed the crowd with his magical performance in the final against a Chinese opponent – a man known for his ability to imitate every shot of the legends. But today, against a true genius, all the imitation skills suddenly became meaningless.
The match took place within the framework of the international 9-ball championship in Guangzhou, China. Reyes' opponent – a proud young talent from China, who is known as "The Copy of the Legends" for his ability to learn and recreate classic shots of many famous players – was Efren Reyes himself. Before the final, the Chinese media did not hesitate to promote this as "the confrontation between the original and the copy", even claiming: "The legendary shadow is about to be surpassed by his own student." However, 100 minutes later, Reyes had turned everything into a nightmare for the Chinese.
From the very first shots, the atmosphere became strange. Reyes – still keeping a calm demeanor, his eyes sparkling with mischief – stepped onto the table with utmost confidence. The first serve was a perfect “break shot” – strong but with the ball moving precisely like a complete geometry problem. The audience applauded, but his opponent – the Chinese player – still smiled confidently, as if waiting for the opportunity to show off his genius copying ability.
But what he did not expect was: Reyes was not just about technique. Reyes was about art. He did not play by the book. He did not follow the usual rules. And that was what made it impossible for his opponent to “imitate”.
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In the third game, Reyes hit a shot that stunned the crowd: the cue ball lightly touched the object ball, then bounced off the rail, turned back in an incredible arc, and sent the object ball into the corner pocket – a shot that the crowd called the “magic curve”. The cameras played it over and over again, while his opponent watched, unable to believe what he had just witnessed. He, in turn, tried to recreate the same shot – but the ball went off course, lost control, and he gave up the cue in frustration.
Reyes did not put on airs. He simply smiled, as if he himself was surprised by the miracle he had just performed. That was what made Reyes different: he never showed off. It was his calmness that made his opponent panic.
In the fifth game, another difficult shot sent the stadium into an uproar. Reyes was stuck between the two balls, unable to see the target ball, but he chose a looping shot with the cue ball, hitting the cushion three times before hitting the target ball and sending it into the middle pocket. The crowd roared. The British commentator exclaimed: "This is magic! This is what Reyes does that no one else can!" "This is magic! This is what Reyes does that no one else can!"
The Chinese opponent began to panic. The simulated shots became awkward, not as smooth as in the previous rounds. He seemed to realize a harsh truth: you can imitate the technique, but you cannot imitate the mind, the intuition and the billiards soul of a genius. Reyes was not just a good player - he was an artist, a magician with a cue in his hand.
In the eighth game, Reyes led 6-2. Everything seemed decided. But he still played his best, not complacent. A seemingly impossible reverse shot – Reyes calculated every angle of the ice, every touch, and put the ball in the right position to end the game with absolute precision. The opponent could only nod in admiration.
And when the score reached 9-3, the final match ended, the audience stood up and applauded endlessly. Even the Chinese – always proud and strict – had to stand up to pay tribute to Reyes’ performance. In that moment, it was no longer a confrontation between two countries, no longer an original or a copy – but a recognition of an inimitable genius.
After the match, the Chinese opponent shared in the press conference: “I spent many years learning how to play his game, but today I realized – there is only one Efren Reyes in the world.” That statement, perhaps, is the greatest compliment a legend can receive.
With this victory, Efren Reyes once again affirmed his unique position in the world of billiards. Although he is old and his speed is not as fast as before, his mind, creativity and spirit are still far beyond the younger generation. He is the embodiment of a combination of skill, intuition and art - something that no one can imitate.
The audience left the stadium with emotion. They did not just watch a match. They had just witnessed a magical performance - where billiards is not just a game, but a symphony of intelligence, emotion and art. And the conductor that day - none other than "The Wizard" Efren Reyes.
