Efren Reyes

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Manalang and the surname or paternal family name is Reyes.
For the Filipino actors, see Efren Reyes Sr. and Efren Reyes Jr.

Efren Reyes
OLD, PLH
Reyes playing a shot
Efren Reyes at the 2012 WPA World Nine-ball Championship
Born (1954-08-26) August 26, 1954 (age 70)
Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines
Sport country Philippines
Nickname"The Magician", "Bata"
Professional1978
Pool gamesNine-ball, eight-ball, ten-ball, one-pocket, rotation, balkline, three-cushion, one-cushion
Tournament wins
MajorU.S. Open Pool Championship (1994)
Other titles100 [1]
World ChampionNine-ball (1999),
Eight-ball (2004)
Medal record
Representing  Philippines
Men's eight-ball
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Busan Singles
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1987 Jakarta Singles
Silver medal – second place 2001 Kuala Lumpur Singles
Men's rotation
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1991 Manila Team
Gold medal – first place 1999 Bandar Seri Begawan Singles
Gold medal – first place 1999 Bandar Seri Begawan Doubles
Silver medal – second place 2001 Kuala Lumpur Singles
Men's snooker
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1987 Jakarta Doubles
Bronze medal – third place 1987 Jakarta Team
Bronze medal – third place 1991 Manila Team
Men's English billiards
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1987 Jakarta Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2001 Kuala Lumpur Team
Men's 47/1 balkline billiards
Silver medal – second place 1987 Jakarta Singles
Men's one-cushion billiards
Southeast Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 2003 Saigon Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Palembang Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Naypyidaw Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Kallang Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Manila Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Hanoi Singles
Men's nine-ball
Southeast Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 2003 Saigon Singles
Men's three-cushion billiards
Southeast Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Palembang Singles

Efren Manalang Reyes OLD PLH (born August 26, 1954), popularly known by the nicknames "Bata" (Tagalog for 'Kid') and "the Magician", is a Filipino professional pool player, who is widely regarded as the greatest pool player of all time,[2][3][4][5][6] and especially famed for his skill at the challenging one-pocket discipline. In 2003, he was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame.[7][8]

A winner of over 100 professional tournaments, Reyes was the first player to win the WPA World Championships in two different pool disciplines. Among his numerous titles, Reyes is a WPA World Nine-ball Champion and WPA World Eight-ball Champion, a U.S. Open Nine-ball Championship winner, a four-time Sands Regency Nine-ball Open winner, a four-time All Japan Championship winner,[9] a seven-time WPA Asian Nine-ball Tour Champion,[10] and a record thirteen-time Derby City Classic winner. Reyes also represented the Philippines at the World Cup of Pool, winning the event with his partner Francisco Bustamante in 2006 and 2009. Reyes defeated American champion Earl Strickland twice in The Color of Money challenge match in 1996 and a rematch in 2001.[11][12] In their first challenge match in 1996, Reyes took home the winner-take-all prize of $100,000, the highest single-event purse in the history of pool at that time.

Reyes is nicknamed "the Magician", for his ability on the pool table, and "Bata", to distinguish him from an older fellow pool player by the same name. In addition to pool, Reyes has played international carom billiards, specifically balkline, one-cushion, and three-cushion.

  1. ^ https://en.m.wikipedia.orgview_html.php?sq=Envato&lang=en&q=List_of_Efren_Reyes_championships#Titles_and_achievements
  2. ^ Derek (November 9, 2022). "Meet The Magician, Efren "Bata" Reyes (the GOAT of Pool)". The Cue Cave. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  3. ^ Maningat, Raul (July 15, 2023). "Never forget, the GOAT and LEGEND of billiards is Efren 'Bata' Reyes". One Sports. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  4. ^ Roeder, David (July 15, 2023). "Who Is the Best Pool Player in the World?". Blatt Billiards. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Jordan, Pat (July 15, 2023). "The Magician - The world's best pool player sees shots no one else can". The Atlantic. Retrieved March 3, 2005.
  6. ^ Wanjiku, Bertha (July 15, 2023). "10 Best pool players ever: top billiard players of all time - #1 Efren Reyes". Sports Brief. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "Bata inducted into US Hall of Fame". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  8. ^ "Bata Inducted to US Billiards Hall of Fame". Arab News. June 27, 2003. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  9. ^ "Efren Reyes". Billiard Walker. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour 2003 Stop 2 - Pearl Plaza - May 31 - June 1st, 2003 - Home - AZBILLIARDS.COM". AzBilliards. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  11. ^ "Color of Money II Challenge Match - Casino Filipino - March 29 - 30th, 2001". AzBilliards. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  12. ^ "Pool icons 'Bata' Reyes, Earl Strickland renew rivalry in made-for-TV face-off". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 27, 2023.