Reyes rallies past Canadian champ in Baguio tilt

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Efren “Bata” Reyes’ old cue stick can still wield tremendous magic.

Unruffled by a cold and shaky start, the Filipino pool maestro thwarted Canadian Gerry Watson, 9-4, yesterday to lead opening round winners in The Manny Villar Cup Panagbenga leg before a huge crowd at the Events Center of SM City Baguio.

The 54-year-old billiards Hall of Famer made a couple of unforced errors in each of the first four racks, allowing Watson, one of two wildcard bets here to surge ahead, 3-1.

Egged on by his throng of fans, however, Reyes dipped into his pocket of tricks to record another escape act that buttressed his worldwide reputation as the sport’s incomparable “Magician.”

A two-time world champion, Reyes ran out the fifth rack and went on to take the next four to seize control, 6-3, and chalk the victory that put him in line for the P300,000 top purse.

“It is cold here that’s why it took me a while to warm up and find my shots,” said Reyes in Filipino. “But Watson is really good and he gave me some trouble. Fortunately, I found my touch midway of the match.”

Watson, a three-time national champion back home, halted Reyes’ onslaught by claiming the 10th rack, only to yield when the charismatic billiards icon again waxed hot.

Former Asian Games champion Gandy Valle also advanced to the second round with a 9-5 victory over qualifier Emil Martinez, 9-5.

Valle breezed to a 4-0 start but Martinez fought back to knot the count at 4-4. Banking on his experience, Valle sealed the match by taking five of the next six racks as he boosted his chances of duplicating his triumph in last year’s Cebu leg of the island-hopping series presented by Senator Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports and supported by Camella Communities.

The former Asian Games gold medalist raced to a 4-0 lead but Martinez managed to tie the count at 4-all, forcing him to utilize his experience to the hilt to score the win.

Other early first round results saw former two-time World Juniors campaigner Rene Mar David thumping Russian Petiza, 9-3 and Egie Geronimo upending Joven Bustamante, 9-5.

A simple opening ceremony, graced by Senator Villar along with Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. and Benguet governor Nestor Fongwan, ushered the start of the competition. There, Villar reiterated his all out support to the sport “where we, Filipinos, are on top of the world.”

The Villar Cup Panagbenga leg is part of the city’s month-long flower festival.

Billiards Events Set for Vegas

World Pool Masters and International 10-Ball Championships Set to Rock the Riviera.

The BCA Pool League is proud to announce the return of two of the most prestigious professional events to the Riviera Hotel and Casino May 2009. The 17th Party Poker.net World Pool Masters and the 9th Annual Predator 10-Ball Championship will be in the Royale Pavilion once again along side the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships.

The World Pool Masters, one of the most revered invitational events with a limited field of 16 players is produced by Matchroom Sport and will take center stage first at the Royale Pavilion May 8-10. A large supplier of sports programming worldwide, Matchroom Sport also produces other well regarded events such as the Mosconi Cup and the World Cup of Pool in addition to Darts, Fishing, Pokes, Snooker, Boxing, Tenpin and Bowls.

Equally exciting, the Predator 10-Ball Championship produced by Dragon Promotions will move into the pavilion May 11-16. The tournament boasts a roster of the top pool talent from across the globe. Last year’s winner Tony Drago of Malta, considered one of the fastest players in the world, will have an opportunity to defend his 2008 title. Once again he will have to face players such as Shane Van Boening, Mika Immonen, Johnny Archer, Francisco Bustamante, John Schmidt, Efren Reyes and the 2008 World Pool Masters winner Alex Pagulayan just to name a few of the illustrious names who will be in attendance. Watch for links on the BCA Pool League web site at Playbca.com for more information and tickets to the professional events. For more information about Matchroom Sport and the World Pool Masters please visit Matchroomsport.com and for the Predator 10-Ball Championship visit Dragonpromotions.com.
CueSports International (CSI) … more choices for players
of all abilities –

BCA Pool League (BCAPL), playBCA.com, National
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Bar Table Championships.

World Pool Masters and International 10-Ball Championships Set to Rock the Riviera

The BCA Pool League is proud to announce the return of two of the most prestigious professional events to the Riviera Hotel and Casino May 2009. The 17th Party Poker.net World Pool Masters and the 9th Annual Predator 10-Ball Championship will be in the Royale Pavilion once again along side the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships.

The World Pool Masters, one of the most revered invitational events with a limited field of 16 players is produced by Matchroom Sport and will take center stage first at the Royale Pavilion May 8-10. A large supplier of sports programming worldwide, Matchroom Sport also produces other well regarded events such as the Mosconi Cup and the World Cup of Pool in addition to Darts, Fishing, Pokes, Snooker, Boxing, Tenpin and Bowls.

Equally exciting, the Predator 10-Ball Championship produced by Dragon Promotions will move into the pavilion May 11-16. The tournament boasts a roster of the top pool talent from across the globe. Last year’s winner Tony Drago of Malta, considered one of the fastest players in the world, will have an opportunity to defend his 2008 title. Once again he will have to face players such as Shane Van Boening, Mika Immonen, Johnny Archer, Francisco Bustamante, John Schmidt, Efren Reyes and the 2008 World Pool Masters winner Alex Pagulayan just to name a few of the illustrious names who will be in attendance.

Reyes-Bustamante in WC of Pool

MANILA, Philippines—Buddies Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante are likely to resume their partnership when the World Cup of Pool is held in the country on Sept. 1-6.

Reyes and Bustamante won the event’s initial staging in 2006, but were beaten by the Chinese tandem of Li He-wen and Fu Jianbo in the quarterfinals of the 2007 edition. Li and Fu went on to win the title.

Ronnie Alcano and Dennis Orcollo represented the Philippines last year, reaching the semifinals where they were beaten by Americans end eventual champions Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening.

Eddie Hearn of the organizing Matchroom Sports said on Wednesday that Reyes-Bustamante representing the Philippines is highly probable.

A total cash prize of $250,000 is up for grabs in the World Cup, featuring 32 teams from 31 nations, including the United States, Taiwan, England and Germany.

Matchroom Sports has tapped Solar Sports as broadcast partner for this tournament which allows two teams for the host nation.

 

Roy Luarca, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Reyes, Pagulayan to lead RP team in Japan tourney

MANILA – Philippine billiard wizards led by former World Champions Efren "Bata" Reyes and Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan will head the Filipinos' campaign to the tough Japan Open 9-Ball Championship scheduled on March 21-22 in Tokyo, Japan.

Joining Reyes and Pagulayan is current Japan Champion Eduardo "Tisoy" Saracho, who has gained much confidence in his most recent victory in the land where he now considers home.

Hall of Famer Reyes of Pampanga, the former double world champion, is currently competing in the 2009 Derby City Classic in Louisville, Kentucky, according to a pool report from chess International Master Marlon Bernardino who accompanied the group to the US competition.

"I will do my very best for flag and country in the tough Japan Open, "said the Japan-based Saracho from Dumaguete City.

Other Filipinos competing are Warren Kiamco, Romy Vicente, Lee Vann Corteza, Danilo dela Cruz and Antonio "Nickoy" Lining.

 

PNA

Reyes, Pagulayan, Saracho Leads RP Contingent to Japan Open 9-Ball

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - Former World Champions Efren "Bata" Reyes, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan and Japan Cup Champion Eduardo "Tisoy" Saracho leads a group of Filipino pool wizards to the tough Japan Open 9-ball slated on March 21 and 22 in Tokyo, Japan.

The hall of famer Reyes, the former double world champion is currently competing in the 2009 Derby City Classic in Louisville, Kentucky.

" I will do my very best for flag and country in the tough Japan Open, "said the Japan-based Saracho, who hails from Dumaguete City.

Other Filipinos competing are Warren Kiamco, Romy Vicente, Lee Vann Corteza, Danilo dela Cruz and Antonio "Nickoy" Lining.

RP rides Bata, Django victories to tie Int'l team in 9-ball showdown

MANILA, Philippines - It could have been a rabbit that was pulled off this magician's hat.

Efren "Bata" Reyes came to the country's rescue with an important win on Thursday that helped Team Philippines pull even with the International side in the QC Invasion: Quezon City-Philippines vs The World Grand "Villards" Showdown at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

Reyes, more popularly known as "the Magician", weaved his wand to take down Rodney Morris of the US 7-4.

The victory leveled the Ryder Cup-style tournament to six wins each for the locals and the foreigners.

Earlier, Francisco "Django" Bustamante escaped with a 7-6 cliffhanger over Raj Hundal of India, just after Warren Kiamco lost 7-4 to Thorsten Hohmann of Germany.

With a stalemate after 12 matches, the first side that gets to nine wins will take home the championship purse worth $40,000 (P1.96 million).

The next matches will be between Roberto Gomez versus Yang Ching-shun of Chinese-Taipei; a team event pitting Bustamante, Gomez Alex Pagulayan and Dennis Orcollo versus the quartet of Hundal, Yang, Mike Immonen of Finland and Wu Chia-Ching of Chinese-Taipei; and a singles match between Orcollo and Charlie Williams of the US.

If the showdown isn't decided after the Orcollo-Williams face-off, the next matches will feature another team duel between the group of Reyes, Kiamco, Ronnie Alcano and Lee Van Corteza and the foursome of Hohmann, Morris, Williams, and Fu Jianbo of China.

If the score is tied at 8, a team event will decide the winner, with the RP side represented by Alcano, Gomez, Kiamco and Pagulayan taking on Hundal, Morris, Williams and Wu.

 

- GMANews.TV

A sport where age is not a factor

In my view, billiards is one sport where age does not matter in order for one to excel.

As a matter of fact, several former winners of the prestigious World 9-Ball Pool Championship, like Americans Earl Strickland and Johnny Archer, Chinese Taipei’s Chao Fong-pan, Germany’s Ralf Souquet and local idols Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, may be considered old for an athlete, yet they are good for some more years.

While it is true that there are other sports such as chess and marathon where age does not also matter, it is on record that a Filipino is yet to become a world champion in these sports. In billiards, the Philippines has already produced three world champions.

Hall of Famer Reyes was already 45 when he captured the world crown in Cardiff, Wales, in 1999. He is now 54.

Supported by brothers former Assemblyman Jose “Popit” Puyat and Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, the toothless “Magician” is an original member of the powerhouse Puyat Sports stable that includes the 58-year-old Jose “Amang” Parica, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 44; and 50-year-old Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat, who topped the recent Sen. Manny Villar Cup in Bacolod City.

Pagulayan, the 2004 world champion and 2005 US Open winner, is the latest addition to the team.

“His (Reyes) style is so drastically different,” once said the legendary Nick Varner, a two-time Billiards Digest Player of the Year. “He attracts a lot of attention. And he has a big impact on the way we Americans play the game.”

On the other hand, double world champion Alcano, who bagged the 2006 world 9-ball crown and the 2007 world 8-ball title, is now 35. Pagulayan, who won the 2004 world 9-ball and 2005 US Open crowns, is pushing 29.

Veteran internationalist Strickland is now 47, but still going strong. He won the world 9-ball title three times, in 1990, 1991 and 2002. Archer, 40, captured the championships twice, in 1992 and 1997.

On the other hand, two-time champion Chao, a contemporary of Reyes, took the crown in 1993 and 2000, while Souquet won it in 1996. Both are nearing 60, yet they are still capable of punishing young talents with their arsenals of flawless breaks, silk-smooth runs and merciless safeties.

-by Manolo Iñigo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A sport where age is not a factor

In my view, billiards is one sport where age does not matter in order for one to excel.

As a matter of fact, several former winners of the prestigious World 9-Ball Pool Championship, like Americans Earl Strickland and Johnny Archer, Chinese Taipei’s Chao Fong-pan, Germany’s Ralf Souquet and local idols Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, may be considered old for an athlete, yet they are good for some more years.

While it is true that there are other sports such as chess and marathon where age does not also matter, it is on record that a Filipino is yet to become a world champion in these sports. In billiards, the Philippines has already produced three world champions.

Hall of Famer Reyes was already 45 when he captured the world crown in Cardiff, Wales, in 1999. He is now 54.

Supported by brothers former Assemblyman Jose “Popit” Puyat and Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, the toothless “Magician” is an original member of the powerhouse Puyat Sports stable that includes the 58-year-old Jose “Amang” Parica, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 44; and 50-year-old Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat, who topped the recent Sen. Manny Villar Cup in Bacolod City.

Pagulayan, the 2004 world champion and 2005 US Open winner, is the latest addition to the team.

“His (Reyes) style is so drastically different,” once said the legendary Nick Varner, a two-time Billiards Digest Player of the Year. “He attracts a lot of attention. And he has a big impact on the way we Americans play the game.”

On the other hand, double world champion Alcano, who bagged the 2006 world 9-ball crown and the 2007 world 8-ball title, is now 35. Pagulayan, who won the 2004 world 9-ball and 2005 US Open crowns, is pushing 29.

Veteran internationalist Strickland is now 47, but still going strong. He won the world 9-ball title three times, in 1990, 1991 and 2002. Archer, 40, captured the championships twice, in 1992 and 1997.

On the other hand, two-time champion Chao, a contemporary of Reyes, took the crown in 1993 and 2000, while Souquet won it in 1996. Both are nearing 60, yet they are still capable of punishing young talents with their arsenals of flawless breaks, silk-smooth runs and merciless safeties.

-by Manolo Iñigo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Reyes Enters Final Four With Blazing Eight Rack Run

Efren “Bata” Reyes, showing flashes of the brilliance of old, recovered from a sluggish start against another former world pool champion Kunihiko Takahashi of Japan to finish with a blazing eight-rack run to enter the Final Four in the Bacolod Leg of the 1st Senate President Manny Villar Cup.

The 54 year old Reyes playing before a huge crowd of supporters at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldfields Commercial Complex missed three comparatively easy shots in a poor start that saw Takahashi, the 1998 World Pool Champion grab a 4-3 lead.

Reyes who is known in the world of pool as “The Magician” then dug deep into his bag of tricks with a long, acutely-angled bank shot of the red 3 in the eighth frame and tied the match, before a scintillating stretch of break and run-outs that delighted the fans at the fifth stop of the prestigious island-hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine sports.

With the triumph Reyes moved to within two wins of pocketing the top prize of $15,000 and breaking a long dry spell in the four day tournament organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the Bacolod City government headed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Negros Billiards Stable of businessman Jonathan Sy and sponsored by Camella Communities.

Reyes faces hometown favorite Ramil Gallego who earlier ousted Joven Bustamante 11-7 in the quarter finals while in the other semi final showdown veteran Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat who has had a fine run faces unheralded Michael Feliciano.

The 50 year old Luat who is known for his tendency to falter in close end-games proved he is still a threat when he beat Cebu leg winner Gandy Valle 11-7 after he got rid of former Asian Games gold medal winner Antonio Lining and 2006 World Pool Champion and 8-Ball king Ronnie Alcano.

The 24 year old Feliciano who belongs to the star-studded stable of Bugsy Promotions passionate pool enthusiast Perry Mariano made the semis by routing fellow qualifier Ronnie Aying 11-1 in a match where Feliciano opened with seben consecutive breaks and run-outs.

All four semi finalists are guaranteed $2,500 each.

Reyes enters Villar Cup quarterfinals

Pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes advanced into the quarterfinals of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg after beating teenage prodigy Johann Chua, 11-6, at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex Saturday.

A report posted on AZBilliards.com said the “Magician” had to work extra hard to storm back from a 0-4 deficit to beat Chua.

The 54-year-old Reyes cleaned up the next five racks to take the lead 5-4.

The 16-year-old Chua had a break, taking two of the next three racks to tie the scores at 6-all.

Reyes, however, wiped out the succeeding five racks to earn his ticket to the quarters.

The “Magician” was coming off an easy 11-5 win over upstart Mike Takayama, prior to his match against Chua.

Chua, meanwhile, came into the match fresh from winning an 11-6 upset against Davao leg winner Roberto Gomez.

Reyes’ next opponent will be former world champion Kunihiko Takahashi, who ruled the World 9-Ball Championship in 1998.

Other players who fought it out in the quarterfinals late Saturday were Gandy Valle who will face Rodolfo Luat; Ramil Gallego against Joven Bustamante; and Michael Feliciano opposite Ronnie Aying.

The semifinals and the finals are both scheduled Sunday.

At stake in tournament are the coveted Villar Cup and the $15,000 top prize that goes with it.

Reyes frolics but Pagulayan, Gomez fall

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.

Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes gets off to a good start in Villar Cup Bacolod leg

Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes regained his old deadly form in his 11-5 conquest of youthful Mike "Tsoke" Takayama to lead opening round winners of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod Leg yesterday at the the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Bacolod City.

However, Roberto "Pinoy Superman" Gomez, the reigning Villar Cup Davao leg kingpin fell short to another teen-ager Johann "Bubwit" Chua, 11-6, in one of the huge upsets recorded in the first of this four-day event.

The 54-year-old Reyes, one of the prize cue artists of sportsman/businessman Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, quickly raced to 7-1 lead against Takayama, one of the rising stars of Philippine billiards who is thrice younger than him.

Reyes leads opening day winners; Chua dethrones Gomez

BACOLOD CITY – Pool maestro Efren “Bata” Reyes took Mike Takayama to school, blasting the teenage upstart, 11-5, to lead opening round winners of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod Leg yesterday at the the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex here.

This as the prestigious island-hopping series will surely have no back-to-back leg champion in its inaugural season after Davao leg ruler Roberto Gomez succumbed to 16-year-old Johann Chua, 11-6, in one of the huge upsets recorded in the first of this four-day event presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports.

The 54-year-old Reyes, who is trying to end an unusually long title-drought, played the game that made him the icon of the sport as he quickly raced to 7-1 lead against Takayama, one of the rising stars of Philippine billiards who is thrice younger than him.

He then reached the hill after the 12th rack, and after allowing his foe to claim three straight racks, the man also popularly known as the Magician, retook the table and cleaned it up with one of his many trademark tricks to seal the victory and deliver himself to the Last 16 of this $37,800 tournament sponsored by Camella Communities.

Reyes will next face another young turk in Chua, who romped off to a strong start and capitalized on a string of miscues committed by Gomez to steal the victory and move closer to the coveted title and the $15,000 top purse at stake in this event organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the city government of Bacolod led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) of businessman Jonathan Sy.

Chua, who made it to the tournament via the qualifiers, had a near-flawless performance against his Bugsy stablemate. He pocketed seven of the first nine racks, and after Gomez came close at 7-4, the kid from Binondo, Manila did not waver but instead held on until the win is secured.

Former world champion Alex Pagulayan, playing with an injured toe from a freak accident, later joined Gomez in the wayside as he bowed to unheralded Eduardo Villanueva, 11-5.

Other early first round results saw Joven Bustamante subduing former World Cup of Poll holder Jianbo Fu of China, 11-7; Elmer Haya beating NBS teammate Ricky Zerna, 11-6; and Villar Cup Bulacan leg titlist Ramil Gallego defeating fellow veteran internationalist Antonio Lining, 11-7.

Japanese Kenji Taguchi was the first foreign bet to advance into the round-of-16 as he held off Chris Johannessen of Norway, 11-8.

The rest of the first round matches were still being played at presstime, along with the Panersera-pababa division, where dozens of players, including those who failed in the qualifiers for the International class, are competing.

‘Biggies’ in Villar Cup

Expect an even more exciting and more competitive pool action as the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup goes international for its fifth leg slated from November 13 to 16 at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Bacolod City.

After four highly successful stops, where the cream of the country’s billiards’ crop battled for supremacy, the island-hopping series, presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, has opened its door for some of the world’s top cue artists.

“We want to make this tournament even more competitive, more challenging to our top players, while giving our young players the experience of playing in the international level,” said Senate President Manny Villar during the press launch Wednesday at the Bacolod Goldenfields’ Garden Royal.

“This is part of my commitment of helping sports, especially those where we Filipinos can excel in and dominate, like billiards,” added Villar, now considered as the biggest benefactor of Philippine billiards.

Former World Cup of Pool titlist Fu Jianbo of China leads the visiting forces, who will mix it up with 24 local bets for the coveted title and the $15,000 top prize at stake in this four-day event, organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the city government of Bacolod, led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, and the Negros Billiards Stable of businessman Jonathan Sy and sponsored by Camella Communities.

Besides Fu, the other foreign entries in this tournament, also dubbed as “the Bacolod International VILLARDS Festival,” are former Asian Games gold medalist Satoshi Kawabata of Japan and Christian Johannessen of Norway, among others.

“Mas mabigat nga ang laban ngayon, pero tingin ko kami-kami pa rin ang magkikita sa finals,” said pool icon Efren “Bata” Reyes, reprising one of his famous lines.

Reyes will once again lead the local charge, along with fellow former world champions Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, reigning world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Lee Van Corteza and previous Villar Cup leg winners Kiamco (Alabang), Gandy Valle (Cebu), Ramil Gallego (Bulacan) and Roberto Gomez (Davao).

Also in the 32-man field are Carlo Biado and Ricky Zerna. The rest of the slot will be filled through wild-card entries and a series of qualifying tournaments slated from November 8 to 11 at the Celebrity Billiards and Bar in Bacolod City.

Besides the international invitational division, there will also be the Executive Class and Amateur divisions for both men and women, where almost half-a-million pesos cash prize is at stake.

Efren 'Bata' Reyes targets Villar Cup title

Billiard legend Efren "Bata" Reyes is targeting the top prize at the Bacolod leg of the Senate President Manny Villar Cup when it kicks off on November 13 at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Bacolod City.

A report posted on AzBilliards.com said Reyes is on the prowl for another title since winning the Derby City Classic in Louisville, Kentucky in January 2007.

The closest he got at winning a title this year was in the inaugural staging of the Villar Cup in Alabang last May, when he lost his finals match up to Warren Kiamco.

Reyes also failed to get past the quarterfinals in the next three legs of the tournament.

In his attempt to end his title drought at Villar Cup’s fifth leg, Reyes will not only have to face a formidable challenge from his fellow Filipino pool players, but he will also have to contend with a troop of top-notch foreign talents.

The foreign delegates will be led by newly-crowned Guinness 9-Ball Tour Grand champion Ching-Shun Yang of Chinese-Taipei as they shoot for the title and the $15,000 top prize.

Besides Yang, other international players participating in the event are former world champion Wu Chia-Ching, Hung-hsiang Wang and Jung-Lin Chang of Chinese-Taipei, China topranked player Jianbo Fu, veteran internationalist Marcus Chamat of Sweden and Christian Johannessen of the Netherlands.

Joining Reyes in leading the local players are fellow former world titlists Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, along with reigning world no.1 Dennis Orcollo, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Lee Van Corteza, and previous Villar Cup leg winners Kiamco (Alabang), Gandy Valle (Cebu), Ramil Gallego (Bulacan) and Roberto Gomez (Davao).

RP’s best pool players team up in battle vs. Best of the World

Philippines best cue masters will join forces to keep the nation’s status as the best billiards playing country.

Former world champions Alex Pagulayan, Efren “Bata” Reyes and Ronnie Alcano, current world No.1 Dennis Orcollo, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 2007 World Pool runnerup Roberto “Superman” Gomez, and Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Warren Kiamco and Lee Van Corteza are drawn together to form Team Quezon City-Philippines.

They will be cueing up against the collection of the best players who will be suiting up for the World Team, composed of newly-crowned US Open champion Mika Immonen of Finland, Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, Wu Chia Ching of Chinese-Taipei and Shane Van Boening of the United States.

Other members of Team World are World Cup of Pool winner Rodney Morris and Charlie Williams of the US and Jianbo Fu of China, and newly-crowned Guinness 9-Ball Tour Grand Finals champion Ching Shun Yang of Chinese Taipei.

The two teams will play for the $40,000 top prize of the Q.C. Invasion: Quezon City-Philippines vs. the World Grand Billiards Showdown on Dec. 2 to 4 at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

The two teams will play singles, doubles and team events patterned after the famous Mosconi Cup, an annual contest between the best pool players of the US and Europe.

Bata out to redeem self in Villar Cup

Efren “Bata” Reyes hopes to break out from a long slumber and add another feather to his legendary cap as he competes in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod Leg 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 he continues to be a major force to reckon with in every tournament.

“Medyo matagal-tagal na nga tayong hindi nagtsa-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. He never made 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. Pero kaya pa naman nating makipagsabayan at tingin ko malaki pa rin ang tsansa ko, kailangan ko lang maging consistent, na siyang pipilitin kong gawin sa Bacolod,” added the former double world champion from Puyat Sports.

Reyes, however will have his hands full against fellow world-class countrymen and a bunch of rising Filipino stars, on top of a horde of topnotch foreign talents as this fifth edition of the Villar Cup was made an international event.

Eight foreigners, led by newly crowned Guinness 9-Ball Tour grand champion Yang Ching-shun of Chinese-Taipei, will compete for the title and the $15,000 top purse at stake in this four-day tournament organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the city government of Bacolod led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Negros Billiards Stable of businessman Jonathan Sy.

Besides Yang, other international players vying in this event, supported by the Bacolod Global Entertainment Marketing Services Corporation, Bugsy Promotions and Puyat Sports, are former world champion Wu Chia-ching, Wang Hung-hsiang and Chang Jung-lin of Chinese-Taipei, China topranked player Fu Jianbo, veteran internationalist Marcus Chamat of Sweden and Christian Johannessen of the Netherlands.

Joining Reyes are fellow former world titlists Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, along with reigning world No.1 Dennis Orcollo, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Lee Van Corteza, and previous Villar Cup leg winners Kiamco (Alabang), Gandy Valle (Cebu), Ramil Gallego (Bulacan) and Roberto Gomez (Davao).

Reyes eyes end to long title slump

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.”

'Bata' still top Pinoy in AZBilliards list, two others in top 10

He may not be as rich as his compatriots in terms of winnings this year but Efren "Bata" Reyes has proven that he is still king Pinoy cue master as far as AZBilliards.com rankings are concerned.

Reyes, also dubbed as "The Magician", remained in sixth place in the weekly standings that saw Shane Van Boening jumping a notch at number one. Reyes has so far earned $5,500 in international tournaments, with the last one being the Qatar International Open in July.

Bustamante, meanwhile, trailed Reyes closely at seventh, dropping three notches from last week's rankings. His last tournament was the US 9-Ball Championships in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he finished ninth earlier this month.

Orcollo, on the other hand, shed four places to finish the week at No. 9. He landed third in the US 9-Ball Open after finishing first in the Guangzhou, China leg of the Guinness 9-Ball Tour in September.

In terms of earnings, Orcollo came first with $91,400, so far, followed by Francisco Bustamante with  $80,903.

Another Filipino champ, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, fell short of a slot as he landed 11th for the week. He has so far earned $61,203.

Jose "Amang" Parica, meanwhile, jumped 12 steps after last week's 51st placing. His 2008 winnings are now pegged at $20,190, with the latest addition coming from the US Open 9-Ball where he shared ninth place with Bustamante.

Ronnie "The Volcano" Alcano, on the other hand, was at the bottom of the 50-man list as he dropped 21 places from last week's 29th spot. He now has $41,200 in winnings after adding $20,000 as first runner-up prize in the US 9-Ball Open.