Efren Reyes
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Efren Reyes (born August 26, 1954), a Filipino, is widely considered to be one of the best players of all time at the game of 9-ball (a variation on billiards). He is often called "The Magician" for having made some of the most spectacular shots ever seen in tournament play and also known by his nickname "Bata". He has won many of the most prestigious nine ball tournaments including multiple wins at the Sands Regency Open, the 1995 Pro Tour Championship, and the 2002 ESPN Challenge of Champions. He is also known for beating Earl Strickland, another of the best 9-ball players of all time, in the two day winner take all events known as the Color of Money I, and the Color of Money II.
Efren Reyes was born in Pampanga in 1954 and moved to Manila when he was 5. He worked there as a billiard attendant in his uncle's pool hall, and also started playing. He played for money even at a young age. By the time he was twenty he claimed he was the best in the Philippines which is very likely considering his success in the US against some of the best 9-ball players in the world.
He also played carom games, such as three cushion billiards in the seventies, which he also excelled at.
He started playing in the United States in the eighties, mostly as a money player. By the nineties, he was winning major tournaments against the best players in the United States. In 1995 he won 6 major events, and at that time was considered the best 9-ball player in the US. He continued to win major events into the year 2000 and has proven himself to be one of the best players to ever pick up a cue, especially in the game of 9-ball.
Reyes is also known to be a mentor/friend of professional pool player Francisco Bustamante.
In 2003, he made an acting stint in the Filipino movie Pakners together with the late actor Fernando Poe, Jr..
Some career highlights
- 2002 Challenge of Champions
- 2002 World Pool League Champion
- 2001 World Pool League Champion
- 2001 Color of Money II (Reyes vs Earl Strickland)
- 2001 Supreme Masters of Billiards
- 2000 U.S. Open One-Pocket Championship
- 1999 ESPN Ultimate 9-Ball Challenge
- 1999 Victor Chandler World Pool Championship
- 1999 Derby City Classic - One Pocket Championship
- 1999 Sands Regency Open 29 9-Ball Championship
- 1998 World 8-Ball Championship
- 1996 Sands Regency Open 9-Ball Championship
- 1996 The Color of Money 9-Ball Champion (Reyes vs Earl Strickland)
- 1996 PBT World 8-Ball Championship
- 1996 Legends 9-Ball Championship
- 1995 Sands Regency Open 21 9-Ball Championship
- 1995 PBT World 8 Ball Championship
- 1995 Pro Tour Championship 9-Ball
- 1994 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
- 1992 International 8-Ball Classic
- 1992 World 9-Ball Open (Tokyo)
- 1990 World Cup (Taipei)
- 1986 Sands Regency 9-Ball Championship
- 1985 Sands Regency 9-Ball Championship