MANILA (UPDATED) — Throughout his six decades of playing pool, Efren “Bata” Reyes — considered one of the greatest of all time — never had a coach.
He was only five years old when his father brought him to Manila from their hometown in Mexico, Pampanga. At the time, he started visiting a billiards hall, which sparked his interest in the sport.
But it wasn’t until three years later that he began playing — when he was finally able to reach the pool table.
Sixty-two years later, “The Magician” has won over a hundred professional titles, in the process becoming a legend in the sport and an inspiration for Filipinos.
Now 70 years old, Reyes looked back at the tricks he pulled off in tournaments, which earned him his nickname. “Sa mga tournament, ‘yung magic na yan, suwerte lang ‘yun. Tiyamba lang ‘yun,” he said.
At a young age, Reyes became a master of multitasking by combining school with billiards into his daily life. Rather than having a coach, he honed his billiards skills by observing other players.
“Hindi ako gumaling sa mga magagaling. Gumaling ako sa mga mahihina, sa mga hindi marunong. Napupulot ko ‘yung mga tira nila na hindi nila kaya gawin,” said Reyes. “Ginagaya ko.”
The biggest prize money he received from playing was $500,000 in 2006, from a tournament in Reno, Nevada. However, he did not get to keep the whole pot.
“Sa 500,000 babawasan mo ng tax— magiging 350 na lang. Kasama ko si Pareng Jango [Bustamante] hati kami pala. Ang gusto ng kalaban ko, may balato ng 50,000 kasi malaki daw ‘yung first prize kaysa sa second prize eh,” he said.
“‘Yung mga kasama pang mga manager, mga chaperone bibigyan pa ng ten percent,” he added.
Reyes is still an active player, and he will serve as captain for Team Asia in the inaugural Reyes Cup that starts on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Teaming up with Johann Chua and Taiwan’s Ko Pin Yi, they will take on Team Europe — composed of team captain Karl Boyes from England, and Mosconi Cup champions Jayson Shaw from the United Kingdom and Francisco Sanchez Ruiz from Spain.
“Bata” says he never expected his career to reach the highs that it did, but he acknowledges that he can no longer pull off the “magic” tricks of his youth.
“Hindi na kamukha ng dati ‘yung game ko,” he said, explaining that his movements are limited due to pain from his shoulders.
Still, he continues to earn through billiards, mostly through exhibition matches.
As for his advice to aspiring pool players, Reyes is consistent in his message.
“Pinakamaganda diyan, tapusin muna nila ang pag-aaral nila,” said the pool legend. “Basta pagakatapos nila, dun lang sila magbilyar para mas masuportahan din nila ang sarili nila hanggang sa paglaki.”
Reyes remains grateful for all fans who have shown him support through the decades.
“Lahat kayong mga kababayan at lahat ng mga sumusuporta sa akin, nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila. Hanggang ngayon, nandito pa rin sila. Pinapanood pa nila ako, hinahanap pa nila ako, kahit nasaan man ako. At tiyaga lagi pagbukas ng TV, kaya din naa-announce ang pangalan ko ay dahil sa kanilang mga nanonood kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila,” said “The Magician.” (D. Castellejo/abs-cbn)
