Efren “Bata” Reyes hopes to break out from a long slumber and add another feather to his legendary cap as the world’s greatest cue artist of all time competes in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod Leg on Nov. 13-16 at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Bacolod City.
The 54-year-old pool legend has not won a title since ruling the Derby City Classic in Louisville, Kentucky in January 2007, though the charismatic maestro continues to be a major force to reckon with in every tournament he joins.
“Medyo matagal-tagal na nga tayong hindi nagtsa (It has been a while since I became a)-champion,” said Reyes, whose closest shot at winning a title this year was in the inaugural staging of the Villar Cup in May in Alabang, when he made it to the finals before losing to Warren Kiamco.
Reyes never made it past the quarterfinals in succeeding legs of this island-hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports and Camella Communities.
“Madami na kasing magagaling ngayon, lalo na ‘yung mga bata (I can see a lot of good players nowadays, especially the young ones),” admitted Reyes. “Pero kaya pa naman nating makipagsabayan at tingin ko malaki pa rin ang tiyansa ko, kailangan ko lang maging (But I can still keep up with them. I just need to be) consistent.”
Eight foreigners, led by newly-crowned Guinness 9-Ball Tour Grand champion Yang Ching-shun of Chinese-Taipei, will compete for the prestigious title and the $15,000 top purse at stake in this four-day tournament also dubbed as the “Bacolod International Villards Festival.”
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