It was a moment that transcended sportâa split second of pure magic on green felt that left even the most experienced billiards professionals stunned into silence. The legendary Efren "Bata" Reyes, known across the globe as "The Magician," had done it again. In a high-stakes match broadcast to millions, with cameras zoomed in and the crowd leaning forward in anticipation, Reyes calmly surveyed the table, lined up his cue... and executed an impossible 90-degree masse shot that defied logic, physics, and expectation.
For a man who has built his entire career on making the impossible look effortless, this particular shot stood out as one of the greatest moments in his already mythical legacy. The cue ball danced as if enchantedâwhipping around in a tight, perfect arc, swerving like a boomerang, and striking the target ball with precise control, potting it cleanly into the corner pocket. The audience gasped. Commentators were momentarily speechless. And then, the explosion of applause shook the entire venue.
"Was that⊠a 90-degree masse?!" one stunned commentator blurted out, echoing what millions were likely thinking at home.
This wasnât just a trick shot pulled off in an exhibition. This was during a real, tense match, under pressure, in front of live cameras and an elite opponent. And yet, Efren Reyesânow in his late 60sâmade it look like something he does before breakfast.
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The replay was played over and over on sports channels and flooded social media platforms within minutes. Billiards fans around the world shared it with captions like:Â âThis man isnât humanâ, âPhysics left the chatâ, and âEfren Reyes is from another planet.â
The Shot That Broke the Internet
The viral video of Reyesâ 90-degree masse exploded online. Even those who didnât follow billiards were drawn to the sheer elegance and absurd difficulty of the shot. The cue ball seemingly disobeyed the laws of motion, hugging the curve like it was attached to invisible strings. For newer fans of the sport, it was an eye-opener. For long-time admirers of Reyes, it was another jewel in his already shining crown.
Professional players, including some of the worldâs best, took to social media to express awe.
âIâve been playing for 20 years, and Iâve never seen anything like that pulled off in a real match,â said one top-ranked player.
âOnly Efren. No one else dares attempt that shot in competition,â another wrote.
But perhaps the most powerful reaction came from a young rising star in the billiards scene who tweeted:
âIf youâre wondering why we call him The Magicianâwatch this clip. I still donât understand how itâs even possible.â
The Anatomy of a 90-Degree Masse
To appreciate what Reyes did, itâs important to understand the nature of a masse shot. A masse is a shot where the cue ball is struck with extreme spin by hitting it nearly vertically, causing it to curve around obstacles. Itâs already one of the hardest techniques in billiards, often used only when there are no other optionsâand even then, only attempted by highly skilled players.
But a 90-degree masse? Thatâs in the realm of legend. The cue ball must curve in an impossibly tight arc, almost as if making a U-turn in place. It requires perfect angle, force, speed, and controlâplus nerves of steel.
Reyes didnât just perform this shot. He did it under tournament pressure. He did it as if it were nothing. He didnât celebrate. He didnât boast. He simply nodded, smiled slightly, and continued to the next frame.
Reyes: A Living Legend
For decades, Efren Reyes has amazed the world with his creativity, intelligence, and flair on the billiards table. Hailing from the Philippines, Reyes rose from humble beginnings, playing for coins in dusty halls, to become one of the most celebrated figures in cue sports history. His unorthodox style, combined with master-level control and deep understanding of angles and spin, earned him nicknames like âThe Magicianâ and âThe GOAT.â
What separates Reyes from others isnât just skill. Itâs instinct. Itâs the ability to see things others canât. While most players study table layouts and calculate options, Reyes seems to see shots that donât existâuntil he makes them real.
Even now, with younger players filling the ranks and new technology enhancing training techniques, Reyes remains unmatched when it comes to creativity. And this 90-degree masse is proof that even in the twilight of his career, he is still capable of redefining whatâs possible.
Fans and Legends React
In the aftermath of the shot, the billiards world was ablaze. Fans posted reaction videos, professional players tried to replicate the shot on YouTube (with limited success), and sports analysts broke it down frame by frame. Former champions praised Reyes for his courage and imagination.
One commentator said:
âThis isnât just a shotâitâs a lesson. Itâs Reyes reminding us all why we fell in love with billiards.â
Another wrote:
âEvery generation has someone who changes the game. Efren didnât just change itâhe bent the rules of reality to his will.â
More Than a Trick Shot
While trick shots often get written off as flashy but impractical, this one was different. This shot mattered. It shifted the momentum of the match. It stunned his opponent into hesitation. And it reminded everyone watching that while many can learn the game, very few will ever master it like Reyes has.
Even the opponent, interviewed after the match, laughed in disbelief.
âI knew I was in trouble when he leaned over the table with that look in his eye,â he said. âBut I didnât expect that. Honestly, I just clapped. What else can you do?â
The Magician Lives On
As the dust settles and the clip continues to rack up millions of views, one truth remains: Efren Reyes still has it. He may not have the speed or stamina of his younger days, but his mind remains razor sharp, and his hands still whisper magic across the felt.
This 90-degree masse will go down in billiards historyânot just as a shot, but as a statement. A reminder that legends never fade. They evolve. And sometimes, they curve the very laws of reality to remind us why theyâre legendary in the first place.
So the next time someone asks why Efren Reyes is called The Magician, donât explain. Just show them the shot.
And let the silence say it all.