BACOLOD – Efren “Bata” Reyes dominated teener Mike Takayama, 11-5, but Davao leg champion Roberto Gomez lost to 16-year-old Johann Chua, 6-11, at the start of the first Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg yesterday at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex here.
Reyes, 54, stamped his class early as he raced to a 7-1 lead against Takayama, reached the hill after the 12th rack, and after allowing his youthful rival to take three straight racks, he went back to work to clinch the victory for a spot in the Last 16 of the $37,800 tournament sponsored by Camella Communities.
“I played good today because I came in early to train and get the feel of the table,” said Reyes in Filipino.
Reyes will next face another young bet in Chua, who pounced on a string of miscues by Gomez to pound out the victory.
Unheralded Eduardo Villanueva also pulled off a big upset, bundling out former world champion Alex Pagulayan, 11-5.
The event, presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports and organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, stakes $15,000 to the winner.
Chua, who made it to the tournament through the qualifiers, dished out a near-flawless performance against Gomez. He pocketed seven of the first nine racks, and after Gomez came close at 7-4, the Binondo, Manila bet hung tough to foil his rival’s comeback bid.
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