Bata named pool Player of the Decade

MANILA, Philippines - Efren “Bata” Reyes, whose world 9-ball feat in Cardiff, Wales in 1999 sparked the renaissance of billiards in the world, was yesterday named the Player of the Decade by the United States Billiard Media Association.

The 55-year-old Reyes, who was also inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall (BCA) Hall of Fame in 2003, has raked in nearly $1.7 million in earnings the last 10 years, excluding his latest winnings of $47,500 in Indiana last week, according to the report of website Azbilliards.

Reyes clinched his fifth Master of the Table Crown last Monday during the 12th Annual Derby City Classic at the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Indiana, US.

He beat fellow former world champions Johnny Archer of the US, Mika Immonen of Finland and Ralf Souquet of Germany for the coveted Player of the Decade plum.

“He (Efren) is an inspiration for the Filipinos.” said billiards patron Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.


Reyes won more than 20 major pro pool titles during the decade, starting with the $30,000 Camel Pro 8-Ball Championship triumph in 2000. Of his 22 major victories, the amiable pool legend captured four one-pocket crowns, four 8-ball titles and 15 9-ball titles. He also ruled the Derby City All-Around tournament five times.

The string of victories came after Reyes became the first Filipino to win the World Pool (9-ball) Championship title in 1999 in Cardiff. He also took the World 8-ball title in 2004 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

He also triumphed in the International Pool Tour (IPT), won two titles (2005 IPT King of the Hill and 2006 IPT North American Open) and pocketed $765,000.

Over in Germany, Team Philippines takes on Czech Repubic late Tuesday, hoping to nail its second straight victory in the World Team Cup Championship at the Hall 13 Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Hannover, Germany.

The RP bets, composed of Ronnie Alcano, Antonio Lining, Dennis Orcullo, Lee Vann Corteza, Marlon Manalo and Warren Kiamco, blanked Great Britain II, 4-0, in the opener of the inaugural tournament Monday.

Source: Author Unknown  | Philstar.com

Bata, Django lead Asians vs Euro stars

Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante expect a tough grind when they spearhead the Asian charge in the Asia vs Europe Men’s 9-Ball Team Challenge that starts this Friday at the Sutra Hall, Rizqun International Hotel in Brunei.

Reyes said beating their rivals will be a tall order since they lack of time to practice with their teammates.

“It will be a very tough match against the top European players. The Europeans are a very solid team and I still don’t know much about my teammates from Taiwan and Brunei,” the 55-year-old Reyes told a local newspaper upon their arrival in Brunei.

Bustamante agreed with his long-time buddy.

“We are expecting tough matches but we will try our best to beat the Europeans who are very young and strong,” said Bustamante, who will play for the first time in the former English colony.

Reyes and Bustamante, whose successful partnership earned them a second World Cup of Pool title in Manila last year, will be joined by host’s Teo Chee Soon and Taiwanese Ko Pin Yi and Lu Hui Chan in the World Pool Billiards-Association-sanctioned event that stakes a total cash prize of $45,000 (P2.1 million).

“We will need a lot of luck if we are to upset the Europeans. In 9-ball pool, luck is important,” added the former double world champion Reyes, who will be playing for the third time in Brunei.

Reyes had earlier competed in the 1999 Brunei Southeast Asian Games and the Brunei Invitational 9-ball Pool Championship four years ago.

Team Europe is made up of World no. 2 Ralf Souquet of Germany, Darren Appleton and Imran Majid of England, Ruslan Chinahov of Russia and Nick Van Den Berg of Holland.

Both teams will play 15 matches five double and 10 single events with the squad piling up the highest number of won match at the end of competition be declared the team champion.

Every double event and single event won by each team is equivalent to one point with doubles event enforcing a Scotch doubles format.

Source: Francis Santiago  | Manila Bulletin