At the age of 68, when most others have retired after a long career, living legend Efren "Bata" Reyes continues to conquer the billiards world with amazing moves that people only see in science fiction movies. Even though he has spent more than half a century with a cue in his hands, the Filipino "Wizard" has never ceased to amaze his fans. What he shows is not only top-notch skills, but also a super combination of intelligence, bravery, sharpness and an incredibly cool head.
In a recent exhibition tournament in Tokyo, Japan, fans were once again on their feet when they witnessed the "unimaginable" spin shot that Reyes performed when cornered. The chance to score was almost zero, but he still found the perfect shot - the cue ball hit lightly, touched the rail, circled three opponent balls and then delicately touched the target ball - without a single mistake. The whole audience exploded. Even the normally quiet Japanese had to exclaim: “Unbelievable! He’s 68 years old?”
But for those who have followed Reyes’ career since the 80s, this is not too surprising. Reyes is not just a player, he is an artist. Every shot he makes is artistic, creative and full of surprises. He does not play in the usual way, but always looks at the table from an angle that others cannot see. The way he masters the billiard table makes the whole world admire and call him “The Magician”.
At 68 years old, people think that his hands will shake, his eyes will be dim, his reflexes will be slow. But no! Reyes still maintains his amazing flexibility. He walks slower, but his cue stick still dances like a flying dragon. Every time he bends down to the table, the whole audience falls completely silent, because they know that a miracle is about to happen. And that miracle kept repeating itself, as if time had forgotten him.
VIDEO :
Many times, young players entered the table with Reyes carrying excessive confidence. They thought that an older person could not keep up with modern speed and tactics. But they were wrong. Many times, Reyes made them feel like new students. With just a few cues, he could “break” the entire play of his opponent. He did not need power, he only needed precision and thinking – things that only time could cultivate.
A clear recent proof was the friendly match between Reyes and a young European player – the reigning regional 9-ball champion. The match seemed to be an “honorable farewell” for Reyes, but it became a “primary class” for the young player. Reyes, with his “unpredictable” playing style, led the match from start to finish, forcing his opponent into a completely passive position. No one expected that at nearly 70 years old, he could still control the game like a seasoned general commanding troops on the battlefield.
In addition to his top performances, Reyes is also an example of humility and undying passion. He has never claimed to be “the best”, but what he does on the table says otherwise. “I just try to play better than yesterday,” he often says. His simplicity, calmness and sincere lifestyle have made him an icon not only in the sport, but also in the hearts of millions of fans.
No one knows when Reyes will really hang up the cue. It could be next year, or it could be never, because billiards is in his blood as a part of his being. When asked the secret to staying in shape at this age, Reyes just smiled and said: “I love this sport. And when you love something, you never get tired of it.”
Now, standing in front of the camera, his hair gray, his eyes thoughtful but still shining when he sees the billiard table, Efren Reyes is not just a veteran player – he is a symbol of passion, perseverance and a timeless intelligence.
Reyes’ greatness comes not only from the number of titles he has won – although the list is a huge treasure – but also from the influence he has left. Young players from Europe to Asia, America all consider him a monument. They learn from his shots, watch his videos as lessons. They may surpass him in terms of physical strength, but to achieve the sophistication and creativity of Reyes – perhaps no one else can do it.
And so, even at the age of 68, Efren “Bata” Reyes continues to amaze the world. He is living proof of the saying: “Class is forever.” When you see him standing at the pool table, leaning, aiming, hitting the shot as if the universe were conspiring to make it happen – you know that some people are born to be legends. And Reyes, at 68, is still writing his own immortal legend.
