Efren Reyes
Efren Reyes in the World 9-Ball Pool Championship | ||
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Representing Philippines | ||
Men's Eight-Ball | ||
Asian Games | ||
2002 Busan | Singles | |
Men's Carom 1 Cushion | ||
Southeast Asian Games | ||
2011 Palembang | Singles | |
2013 Naypyidaw | Singles | |
2015 Singapore | Singles | |
Men's Carom 3 Cushion | ||
Southeast Asian Games | ||
2011 Palembang | Singles |
Efren Manalang Reyes, OLD, PLH (born August 26, 1954), popularly known as Efren "Bata" Reyes and nicknamed 'The Magician', is a Filipino professional pool player. A winner of over 70 international titles, Reyes is the only person in history to win World Championships in two different disciplines in pool. Among his numerous titles Reyes is a four-time World eight-ball champion, the 1999 World Nine-ball champion, a three-time US Open champion, a two-time World Pool League champion and a 14-time Derby City Classic champion - including an unprecedented five "Master of the Table" crowns. By defeating Earl Strickland in the inaugural Color of Money event in 1996, Reyes took home the largest single event purse in pool history.[1] Many analysts, fans, and current and former players consider Reyes to be the greatest pool player of all time.[2][3]
Biography
Early life
Reyes was born in Pampanga in the Philippines in 1954. He moved to Manila with his family at the age of 5. In Manila, he worked as a billiards attendant at his uncle's billiards hall, where he started learning the various cue sports. Because he was not tall enough to reach the pool table, he played while standing on Coca-Cola cases that he moved around. At night, while he was dreaming of playing pool, the pool table was his bed.[4]
Reyes is often referred to as "Bata," which is Tagalog for "Kid", because there was another older pool player named Efren when he was young. To distinguish between the two, he was referred to as Efren Bata. He was also called Efrey by his colleagues (Ef from Efren and rey from Reyes).
Career
Gambling from a young age, Reyes played three cushion billiards in the 1960s and 1970s. After establishing himself as a winner, he was discovered by promoters. This gave him the opportunity to compete in big-time tournaments.
During the 1980s, when Reyes was considered a top-class player in his homeland but not yet internationally recognized, he went to the U.S. to hustle. Popular legend claims that Reyes earned US$80,000 in a week; this feat made him a folk hero back home.[5]
Reyes began winning a number of tournaments in the U.S., Europe and parts of Asia. Thus, he started to gain attention and recognition worldwide. At the start of his career, he used aliases to hide his identity so he would be allowed to compete. By the mid-1990s, he had become one of the elite players of the Philippines, alongside Jose Parica and Francisco Bustamante.
Reyes' fame began when he won the US Open Nine Ball Championship in 1994 by defeating Nick Varner in the finals. He was the first non-American to win the event.
Two years later, Efren Reyes and Earl Strickland were chosen to face each other in an event called the Color of Money, named after the movie. The event was a three-day race-to-120 challenge match of 9-ball. It was held in Hong Kong, with a winner-take-all prize of US$100,000. Reyes won the match 120-117. This was the largest single-winning purse in a pool event.[1]
Although Strickland was the first to win the WPA World Nine-ball Championship, Reyes, in 1999, became the first to win while it was broadcast on television. This tournament was not recognized at the time by the WPA, but Reyes was later retrospectively acknowledged as the winner of one of two world championships held in 1999. Nick Varner won the "official" world title. The two tournaments were merged for the following year, with both men listed as the champion for 1999. At the time, the Matchroom Sport-organised event in Cardiff, Wales, was called the World Professional Pool Championship (despite the entry of many non-professional players).
In 2001, Reyes won the International Billiard Tournament. The event was held in Tokyo, with over 700 players and a total purse of ¥100M ($850K). Reyes dominated the event and beat Niels Feijen in the finals 15-7 and earned the ¥20M[6] ($170K) first prize. At the time, this was the biggest first prize in a pool tournament.
In 2002 he won the $50K winner-take-all International Challenge of Champions, defeating Mika Immonen in a deciding rack after both players split sets.[7]
Near the end of 2004, Reyes beat Marlon Manalo to become the first-ever WPA World Eight Ball Champion. With the win, he became the first player in WPA history to win world championships in two different disciplines.
In December 2005, Reyes won the IPT King of the Hill 8-Ball Shootout. Reyes won a record-breaking $200K for first place by beating fellow Hall of Fame member Mike "the Mouth" Sigel two sets to none (8-0 and 8-5).
In 2006, Reyes and Francisco Bustamante represented their country as Team Philippines in the inaugural World Cup of Pool. They defeated Team USA, Earl Strickland and Rodney Morris, to capture the title.
That same year, Reyes won the IPT World Open Eight-ball Championship over Rodney Morris 8-6. He earned $500K which was the largest prize money tournament in the history of pocket billiards. Unfortunately, due to IPT's financial problems, he has not been able to claim much of this money as of 2007.
In 2009, the Filipino tandem of Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante beat the German pair of Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann by a grueling 11-9 score to take their second championship title. This, together with the semifinal finish of the other Filipino team of Ronato Alcano and Dennis Orcollo, was the best performance by a host nation in the tournament's history.
In 2010, Reyes clinched his fifth title in the 12th annual Derby City Classic as the overall champion, making him the most successful player in the tournament's history.
He has topped the AZ Billiards Money List five times: in 2001,[8] 2002,[9] 2004,[10] 2005[11] and 2006.[12] In 2006, he set a record by earning $646K in a single year.[12]
Family
He is married to Susan Reyes. They have three children. His son, Frennie Reyes, once competed in the Asian Nine-ball Tour.
Accolades
Numerous fellow professional players have credited Reyes with being the greatest living player in the world.[13] During ESPN television commentary on a semi-finals match between Reyes and Mika Immonen at the 2000 Billiard Congress of America Open 9-Ball Championship, veteran professional Billy Incardona stated that Reyes was "indisputably the best player in the world—especially when you consider all games—he can play any game as well as anyone, maybe better than anyone.... In my opinion we're watching probably the greatest player in my lifetime and I've been watching pool for the better part of forty years."[13]
In 1995 Billiards Digest Magazine named Reyes the Player of the Year.[14] The following year, when Reyes was ranked number one on the U.S.'s Pro Billiards Tour, the June 1996 issue of the magazine featured a poll of "billiard cognoscenti"—pro players, billiards writers, industry insiders and the like—to pick the best in billiards in various categories.[14] Billiards' own elite named Reyes the best one-pocket player of all time.[14] The magazine wrote, "While a bevy of one-pocket geniuses abound, Efren Reyes, whose prowess in one-pocket is sometimes obscured by his 9-ball stardom, was the popular pick. Is there anything Bata can't do?"[14]
In 2003, he became the first Asian to be inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame.[15]
Reyes was appointed Philippine Sports Ambassador of the 2005 South East Asian Games alongside some of the Philippines' greatest athletes (Allan Caidic, Rafael Nepomuceno) to promote the event throughout the country.
For 2007, he was ranked #2 in Pool & Billiard Magazine's "Fans' Top 20 Favorite Players" poll.[16]
Other awards and honors include:
- Philippine Legion of Honor
- Philippine Order of Lakandula "Champion for Life Award"[17]
- Outstanding Filipino Awardee of the Jaycees
- Philippine Sportswriters Association Sportsman of the Year 1999, 2001 and 2006
- One Pocket Hall of Fame (inducted in 2004)
Films and television
In 2003, Reyes was featured in the Filipino movie Pakners with the late actor Fernando Poe, Jr., which was his last film before his run for President in 2004, and later his death in later part of 2004. Reyes also appeared in the 2007 short film Nineball.[18]
In one episode of the TV series Magpakailanman, the story follows a young Efren Reyes (portrayed by actor Anjo Yllana) in his early pool-playing days as he progresses from a money player to a tournament contender.
Nicknames and aliases
Reyes is often called by his nickname "Bata" (Filipino for "Kid"), given to him by friends at his regular pool hall to distinguish him from an older Efren.
Reyes, along with the other "Filipino invasion" players revolutionized the way pool is played by their introduction to the sport of pinpoint precision kicking (going into a rail with the cue ball and then hitting an object ball). Reyes' ability to "kick safe" and to kick balls into intended pockets is legendary. This ability, coupled with his superb skill at other aspects of the game, led U.S. professionals to give him the appellation "The Magician." Before Reyes and his compatriots came over to the U.S., no one there had seen anything like their kicking skill set.[19]
"[The] first time I came over to the states, I used an alias of Cesar Morales. Pool players in the US already knew Efren Reyes as a great shooter from the Philippines, but they [hadn't]...seen...[me]...in person." — Efren Reyes[20]
Titles and achievements
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References
- 1 2 Manlosa, Rommel C. (2 January 2014). "Battle of legends". sunstar newspaper. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
- ↑ "THE GREAT ONES: Efren Reyes". Chalk Is Free. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ↑ "Efren Reyes makes the greatest shot ever". View From the Sugar Island. 24 April 2008. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ↑ Billiards Star Reyes Gets Everyone into the Pool
- ↑ Forrest, Brett (May 8, 2012). "Running the tables". ESPN The Magazine. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
- ↑ Press of the Tokyo Open
- ↑ "Reyes Declared Champion of Champions". Billiards Digest Magazine. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
- ↑ 2001 AZB MONEY LEADERBOARD
- ↑ 2002 AZB MONEY LEADERBOARD
- ↑ 2004 AZB MONEY LEADERBOARD
- ↑ 2005 AZB MONEY LEADERBOARD
- 1 2 2006 AZB MONEY LEADERBOARD
- 1 2 ESPN Classic rebroadcast of 2000 Billiard Congress of America Open 9-Ball Championship, playoff round 1 playoff: Efren Reyes v. Mika Immonen. Commentary by Billy Incardona and Mitch Laurance. Aired and viewed February 13, 2009.
- 1 2 3 4 Mangahas, Mahar (September 2, 1996). "Pinoys in Billiards' Best". Manila Standard. Manila. p. 25B.
- ↑ Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame
- ↑ "The Survey Says...: Pool & Billiard Magazine's 22nd Annual Player and Fan Poll". Pool & Billiard Magazine. Summerville, South Carolina: Sports Publications. 26 (2): 14. February 2008. ISSN 1049-2852.
- ↑ "The Order of Lakandula". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
- ↑ Nineball at the Internet Movie Database
- ↑ http://tripatlas.com/Efren_Reyes
- ↑ Efren Reyes interview, AZBilliards.com; accessed 2006
- ↑ "Efren Reyes Defends Make It Happen Title". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
- ↑ "Accu-Stats Make-It-Happen One-Pocket 2016". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ↑ "Reyes Wins 2015 Accu-Stats Make It Happen One-Pocket". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
- ↑ "Accu-Stats Make-It-Happen One-Pocket". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
- ↑ "EFREN 'BATA' REYES WEAVES HIS MAGIC TO WIN ACCU-STATS 'MAKE IT HAPPEN' ONE POCKET INVITATIONAL". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ↑ "'Bata' Reyes shows why he is still the man to beat". rappler.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ↑ "Efren Reyes captures Manny Pacquiao 10 Ball tilt in Gen San". ph.sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ↑ "'BATA' REYES SHOWS WHY HE IS STILL THE MAN TO BEAT". gensantimes.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
- ↑ "2ND MANNY PACQUIAO CUP SINGLES". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ↑ "Smokin Aces One Pocket Shooutout". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- ↑ "Efren Reyes wins 6th Derby City Classic One-Pocket crown". ph.sports.yahoo. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ↑ "DCC 2014 1P Div.". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
- ↑ "Reyes Wins One Pocket Title at Derby Day Seven". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Chuck Markulis Memorial One Pocket Division". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
- ↑ "Bata, Amit retain World Mixed Doubles crown". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
- ↑ "US Open One Pocket 2011". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ↑ "Spanish Open 2010". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Predator Int'l 10B C'ship 2010". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
- ↑ "DCC 2010 Master of the Table". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ↑ "DCC 2010 Fatboy Challenge". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ↑ "DCC 2010 9B Div.". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Asia vs Europe Chall. Match". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
- ↑ "World Mixed Doubles Cl. 2009". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved December 3, 2009.
- ↑ "World Classic 1P Event". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
- ↑ "World Cup of Pool 2009". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
- ↑ "DCC 2007 Master of the Table". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 13, 2007.
- ↑ "DCC 2007 1P Div.". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 13, 2007.
- ↑ "San Miguel Tour 2006 Stop 4". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved September 17, 2006.
- ↑ "IPT World Open 8-Ball 2006". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved September 10, 2006.
- ↑ "World Cup of Pool 2006". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved August 26, 2006.
- ↑ "San Miguel Tour 2006 Stop 1". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved May 7, 2006.
- ↑ "DCC 2006 1P Div.". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 14, 2006.
- ↑ "IPT King of the Hill 2005". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved December 4, 2005.
- ↑ "San Miguel Tour 2005 Stop 2". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved April 3, 2005.
- ↑ "All Japan Men C'ship 2005". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved March 20, 2005.
- ↑ "DCC 2005 Master of the Table". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 22, 2005.
- ↑ "DCC 2005 9B Div.". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 22, 2005.
- ↑ "DCC 2005 1P Div.". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 22, 2005.
- ↑ "World 8B C'ship 2004". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved October 1, 2004.
- ↑ "On Cue 3: Continental Conquest". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved August 29, 2004.
- ↑ "San Miguel Tour 2004 Stop 1". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved February 29, 2004.
- ↑ "San Miguel Tour 2004 Stop 2". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved March 14, 2004.
- ↑ "San Miguel Tour 2004 Stop 4". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved May 9, 2004.
- ↑ "DCC 2004 All-Around Champion". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 24, 2004.
- ↑ "DCC 2004 1P Div.". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 24, 2004.
- ↑ "World Cl. Billiards Tourn't 2003". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved October 10, 2003.
- ↑ "Las Vegas Open 2003". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved August 22, 2003.
- ↑ "San Miguel Tour 2003 Stop 2". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved June 1, 2003.
- ↑ "Mid Atlantic 9B C'ship". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved January 26, 2003.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 "Efren Reyes". Propool.info.
- ↑ "World Pool League 2002". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved October 27, 2002.
- ↑ "Cafe Puro Chall. of the Masters". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved September 21, 2002.
- ↑ "Shooters Labor Day Weekend Open 9B Tournament". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved September 2, 2002.
- ↑ "Challenge of Champions 2002". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved August 15, 2002.
- ↑ "World Pool League 2001". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved November 18, 2001.
- ↑ "Tokyo 9B Event". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved November 14, 2001.
- ↑ "Best Male Pockets Player/Greatest Impact on the Sport". Billiards Digest. Retrieved 2003. Check date values in:
|access-date=
(help) - ↑ "Masters 9B C'ships 2001". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved April 29, 2001.
- ↑ "Color of Money II". Azbilliards.com. Retrieved March 30, 2001.
- ↑ "US Open One Pocket 2000". Azbilliards.com. September 10, 2000.
- ↑ "Pennsylvania State 9B C'ship". Azbilliards.com. May 7, 2000.
- ↑ "USA Billiards Chall. Event 2". Azbilliards.com. April 23, 2000.
- ↑ "ESPN U.C. 1999 Men Div.". Azbilliards.com. February 5, 1999.
- ↑ "ESPN U.C. 1999 Men's S.o.". Azbilliards.com. February 5, 1999.
- ↑ "DCC 1999 1P Div.". Azbilliards.com. January 30, 1999.
- ↑ "US Open 9-Ball 1994". Azbilliards.com. September 25, 1994.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Efren Reyes. |
Preceded by Nick Varner |
WPA Men's World Nine-ball Champion 1999 |
Succeeded by Chao Fong-pang |
Inaugural champion | WPA Men's World Eight-ball Champion 2004 |
Succeeded by Wu Chia-ching |
Preceded by Earl Strickland |
US Open Nine-ball Champion 1994 |
Succeeded by Reed Pierce |