On a fateful afternoon at a prestigious international tournament where the world's best players gathered to compete, all eyes were on one particular table – where the so-called "Wizard" Efren "Bata" Reyes would face off against a young, ambitious and confident player from Europe. The young man, known for his aggressive play and powerful shots, announced to the media: "The era of Reyes is over. I will replace him." Those statements quickly caused a stir in the billiards community, because everyone knows: when someone dares to challenge Reyes, they must prepare for a battle unlike anything they have ever experienced.
From the start of the match, the young player was full of spirit, he broke the balls strongly and scored continuously in the first few games. The audience in the stands cheered at his performance – fast, accurate, full of confidence. But Reyes, with his calm demeanor, only smiled slightly. He knew that the match was not over yet. What he was about to show was still “hidden up his sleeve.”
The fourth game began, when the situation on the table became extremely complicated. A cluster of balls was gathered at the corner of the table, a position that no one thought could be solved. The young player stepped back, shook his head and played a safe shot. But Reyes? He stepped forward, leaned over to look at the table, measured the distance, then suddenly turned the cue stick at an impossible angle – “Wild Rift” – a shot that skimmed the edge of the table, creating an unbelievable spin. The cue ball went around the cluster of blocking balls, curved like a magic streak and hit the object ball, causing everyone to be silent for a few seconds.
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The audience stood up, applauding loudly. The commentator could not hide his excitement: “Unbelievable! A shot that can only appear in legends!” The young player was stunned. He looked at Reyes with wide eyes, muttering, “How did he do that?” His gaze shifted from confidence to amazement—and, gradually, to self-doubt.
From that point on, the match was all Reyes’s. He continued to hit swerving shots, using seemingly impossible swerves. At one point, he sent the cue ball skimming the edge of a group of balls while maintaining perfect spin—as if he were “drawing” on the table. Reyes also turned the game around several times with counter-striking bank shots that left his opponent no time to react.
In the deciding game, with the score firmly in Reyes’ favor, he faced an almost impossible challenge: the 8 ball was on the edge of the table, behind a dense cluster of balls—a shot so difficult that even the best players would choose to play defensively. But Reyes was different. He took a deep breath, adjusted his cue, and executed a historic "jump masse". The cue ball flew up gently, circled behind the ball cluster, hit the target ball, and pocketed it with absolute precision. The entire audience exploded. That was the Extreme Finish that the entire tournament would never forget.
The young player could not hide his shock. After the match, in the press conference, he bowed his head and admitted: "I thought I could beat him, but it turned out I was still immature. Reyes not only plays billiards - he controls the ball like a real wizard."
The global billiards community once again witnessed the ageless greatness of Reyes. Although he was past his physical peak, his intelligence, creativity, and experience still made every younger generation respect him. For those who thought Reyes was over, this match was the clearest answer.
One spectator said after the match: “I’ve been watching Reyes play since I was a kid, and today, he still gives me goosebumps. What he does with the cue is not just technique – it’s art!”
And rightly so. Reyes is more than just a player. He is an icon, an inspiration, living proof that in the world of billiards, experience and wisdom can overcome youth and arrogance.
That match, with its legendary “Wild Rift” and dramatic finish, will go down in history. It was more than just a victory – it was a supreme display of billiards artistry, a gentle but sharp message from Reyes to young people who want to conquer the world: “Never underestimate the magic.”
